Author's note:
Bat-teen 28 : Let's just say I have some more cameos planned.
nadillaandlaprasthefireandice : He's one of my favourites as well :)
Erik-is-my-angel1234 : Thank you for the review.
Jenicide24 : I thought about that, although this would probably result in Mister Freeze making a whole bunch of terrible ice puns, like "Alicecle".
SectumSemprae : This foreshadowing was kinda unintended :)
Cold, red lenses stared at me, as they were placed on Victor Fries' eyes. For a moment, I had no idea how to react. I knew running away would be pointless.
"It's obvious you are not an inmate, but I do not care who you are.", he said indifferently. "Now, if you'll excuse me, there are necessary preparations that I must take care of."
"Hey, Alice, I didn't find any meds, but I've found some...", Waylon said while entering the room and he immediately noticed Fries, standing between us.
"Freeze.", Waylon muttered.
"Mr. Jones.", Fries muttered back.
"So you two know each other ?", I asked with disbelief. I'm gonna have my word with Waylon, that's to be sure.
"I've worked for the old Fridgy a couple years ago.", Waylon said to me and then turned to Fries. "You didn't change much, Freeze. The suit looks more shiny and the last time I saw you, you still had your ears."
"So did you.", Fries answered. I then noticed that his ears were almost none existent, as if Freeze himelf was affected by the freeze-burns.
"My condition isn't really getting any better.", Waylon said. "And speaking of which... I've found the med-kit in the second cell on right, but it's too small and I can't open the damn thing. Could you bring it, Alice ?"
"Yeah.", I said. I slowly passed Mister Freeze and headed to the cell.
"Last time we met you were dealing perfectly fine with a lighter and a cigar. Am I supposed to believe the med-kit is a problem ?", Freeze asked with somewhat sarcastic tone.
"Now we can talk.", I answered, trying to control my nerves. Freeze was always pissing me off with his calmness and with his big-ass self-control.
"Afraid that a snack could possibly eardrop ?", he asked.
"She's not a snack.", I answered and immediately regretted it.
"Who is she, then ?"
"That's... complicated. It doesn't matter. What matters is that... I need your help."
Freeze's face was emotionless, but I could swear he was curious.
"And by that you mean ?"
"I've heard that you're preparing some cure for the clown. Don't ask, but the inmates know a lot about what's going on in Arkham City."
"What is your point, Mr. Jones ?"
"What is my point ? Just look at me.", I said.
Freeze indeed looked at me.
"Ah... I see now. So, you wish me to..."
"Yes.", I interrupted, growing inpatient. "I want you to prepare a cure for my condition."
"I see. Why would I agree ?"
"Name your price.", I said.
"Very well then. The clown has taken my wife.", Freeze said. "But I highly doubt you'll be able to find her."
"I know the entire sewer line running under Arkham City. And as I mentioned, I can get people to talk. If your wife is still here, I'll find her. Deal ?"
Freeze looked at me with the same emotionless expression.
"Deal."
I entered the room and Freeze and Waylon immediately stopped talking.
"I've got the med-kit. Did... did I interrupt you something ?", I asked.
"We'll have to talk.", Waylon said. "But for now, we need to take care of my arms."
"I suggest you use the old necropsy table to perform the procedure.", Freeze said.
"That's actually a good idea.", I said.
"I'll go and get it.", Waylon said. "Oh, and Alice..."
"Yes ?"
"Try not to knock in Freeze's glass. It annoys him.", Waylon said and chuckled. I only smirked, knowing that Fries won't see my expression. I then turned back to see him watching me carefully. I felt really uneasy, although I knew Fries' history. He shouldn't be dangerous. At least I hoped so.
"Isn't it unusual for a woman to be accompanied by Mr. Jones ?", Fries suddenly spoke.
"Yeah.", I smiled. "I guess it is."
"He's hardly a gentleman."
I couldn't help but laugh at the joke. "That's also true."
"How come such an intelligent woman found herself not only in Arkham City, but also in Waylon Jones' guardianship ?", he asked.
"What gives you the impression that I'm intelligent ?", I asked suspiciously. In normal circumstances, I would just thank for the compliment. But the circumstances were anything but normal.
"The ID was helpful.", Freeze said with a small smile.
I then remembered that the ID card of Arkham City's psychologist was still attached to my coat.
"Well... I don't seem to be so intelligent now, do I ?", I asked and me and Fries shared a chuckle.
"It's Ms. Walker, isn't it ? You still didn't tell me what improbable situation made you a company for Mr. Jones. You don't seem to be threatened."
"Because I'm not. Me and Waylon are...", I said and stopped, wondering what exactly should I say.
"You are...", Fries said with disbelief. I swear he would've raised his eyebrows if he still had them.
I just nodded. If Fries wouldn't understand, then nobody would.
But he did.
"I see. You may refuse to answer, but I'd like to ask you something, Ms. Walker."
"Please, call me Alice."
"Tell me, Alice... do you really... love that beast ?"
I turned back to see Waylon coming back, holding necropsy table in one hand. I then turned to Fries.
"Yeah... I guess I do."
"What were you talking about ? Some egghead stuff ?", my boyfriend asked and I almost started to question the definition of love. Almost.
"When you're done, we'll have to talk, Mr. Jones.", Fries said to Waylon.
"Sure. But for now... I don't think you've got any booze in that icebox-suit of yours, have you ? I'd kill all the people in the world for some booze."
"You could've say that after I'm done with the bullets.", I said, kind of afraid of the procedure. Waylon and I entered the old lab in the main room, although he needed to crouch.
I strapped his arm to the table tightly, took the old pliers found in the lab and grabbed the first bullet with it.
"Ready ?", I asked. "On three. One... two... three."
Even Freeze was startled after hearing the roar.
"Well, that's it.", Alice said and placed the last bullet, along with pliers, on the table. "I think I even learned a few new words."
"... there's not enough booze in the world to soothe that.", I said. This bastard who shot me had some custom made bullets. Normal sniper bullets weren't able to pierce my skin, not even to mention causing any pain. But those bullets were the most devilish metal objects in the world. Except maybe collars.
Alice patted my arm. "You were really brave.", she said like a doctor after giving the kid a flu shot.
"Thanks, doc. May I count on some... sweets ?", I asked.
"May I interrupt you ?", Freeze said and entered the lab. He was busy earlier, doing something with the safe next to the computers.
"Cockblocker.", I thought. "Yeah, yeah, what is it ?"
"If you'll excuse us, Ms. Walker, I'd rather talk with Mr. Jones in private.", Freeze said.
"I'll try to find anything useful before we leave.", Alice said to me and left the room.
I sighed. "What is it, Freeze ?"
"I admit that I was... dishonest with you, Mr. Jones. The cure for your condition... won't be as easy to prepare as I thought it would. It appears that I lack the unnessecary ingredient. It would also require someone more skilled in chemistry than me in order to prepare it."
"So... you tried to fuck me."
"That's one way to put it.", Freeze said.
"What if I tell you that I know one of the best chemists in the world ?", I said.
"What ? Who... who is that ?", Freeze asked. Then he looked at me with sudden understanding. "You mean..."
"Exactly. I've seen a very specific building along the way to the station. Impossible to confuse with someone else's hideout. You saw it as well, didn't you ?"
"I did. If you can persuade that chemist to help, then you're gonna need this.", Freeze said and gave me a small, round, metal disc.
"What is it ?", I asked.
"It's the holo-projector of my own invention. It contains the chemical formula of the lacking ingredient. I don't expect a beast such as you to memorise the formula.", he said coldly, even for him.
As Freeze prepared to leave the room, I spoke to him.
"Hey... thanks for the help... Fridgy."
Despite his stone-like face, I just knew that cold son of a bitch was boiling inside.
I came back to Waylon with a real treasure and he seemed to be ready to leave.
"What is this ?", he asked.
"A bag full of ammo, adrenaline and few other meds I managed to find while you were busy. I also allowed myself to get rid of the meth you found.", I said with a smirk. "Actually, what were you and Fries talking about ?", I asked.
"Right. This is the hard part.", Waylon said and kneeled to look me in the eyes. This usually was the bad sign. "Listen. I've had a little conversation with Freeze and it seems... it seems possible for him to... cure me."
I couldn't believe what I heard until Waylon hugged me.
"He can make a cure for my condition, Alice."
I couldn't find the words to express what I felt and before I noticed, tears started to roll down my cheeks.
I embraced him and he hold me in his arms, wiping away my tears.
I felt Freeze's cold stare on me. I had no idea what he thought nor I cared about that. She finally stoped crying.
"Alice.", I said quietly.
She looked at me.
"We need to go.", I said, although I didn't really want to rush her.
"Okay. So, where should we go first ? Back to Oswald ?", she asked, wiping away the last tears.
"No. We need to find some chemical substance for Freeze and I've got an idea of who might have it."
"Let me guess. Some old friend of yours ?"
"Yeah.", I answered.
"Super-criminal ?"
"You know I hate that term."
"Okay, okay, just tell me who he is."
"Actually, it's she. We're going to visit Poison Ivy."
