Chapter 6: Puppy Love.
Edward Nygma was in the forensic lab, reading files about a new dead guy they had brought in. His radio was on and suddenly he stopped what he was doing and turned to his radio in horror. "This just in! There's been a breakout in Arkham Asylum that has left millions dead and some missing. Citizens are asked to stay indoors and schools should let out students out as soon as possible." Edward inwardly panicked. Rachel was still in school! He needed someone to pick her up and get her back to his apartment. "Maybe Jim will let me get off work so I can go get her. It shouldn't take too long." He said to himself. Edward hurried out of the forensic lab and was able to easily find Jim. Edward quickly tapped him on the shoulder and Jim looked at him a bit annoyed. "What is it Ed?" Edward gulps and replied, "Detective I need to pick up Rachel. You heard about the Arkham breakout right?" Jim nodded "Yes go ahead. But I don't think she should be alone so bring her to the station. Just so we can keep an eye on her." Edward nodded great fully. "Thank you so much Detective!" With that, Ed ran to his car and drove to Rachel's school.
Rachel had been waiting on the steps at the front of the school. Suddenly she sees Ed's car drive up and an anxious and worried Ed ran out. "Rachel, get in the car. We're going to the GCPD." Rachel looks at him confused until she heard the screams and saw a bus full of cheerleaders being doused with gasoline by an insane red haired boy and his friends she gaped in shock not realizing Ed was pulling her to his car in a panic. "What's happening Ed?" Edward sighed as he frantically started the car. "All I know is that there's been a breakout in Arkham and I need to get you to safety." Rachel simply put on her seatbelt and looked out the window.
Just as Rachel and Ed made it to the GCPD, a smoke bomb had gone off and bullets started flying. Rachel screamed in shock, "Get down!" Ed yelled. Rachel ran to the nearest desk and hid. Ed on the other hand, scared shitless saw Kristen about to be shot and pushed her out of the way getting a bullet in the shoulder in the process. Rachel covered her ears in fear. What was happening? Where was Ed? Once Rachel stopped hearing gunshots she chanced a look from her hiding spot. Big mistake. The red head boy she saw before grabbed her by her hair and put a gun to her forehead. "Tell me something kid. You ever dance with the devil by the pale moonlight?" Jerome Valeska let out a manic laugh and said, "You know I think I'll keep that one!" Rachel glared at him and swiftly kicked him in the nuts making Jerome fall on his side still laughing. Rachel ran and hid inside the forensic lab. She breathed heavily and jumped when she heard one last gunshot that sounded a little too loud. Rachel hoped this time it was safe and quickly scrambled away from the lab.
When she came back she saw everyone was either dead or barely alive. "Ed? Eddie? Where are you?" Suddenly she heard his weak gasp, and she felt dread pooling in her stomach. A female voice cried, "We're over here sweetheart! It's okay!" Rachel ran toward the sound of the voice and found Ed and Kristen. Edward had been shot in the shoulder and looked like he was in a lot of pain. "Holy shit! Ed! Are you okay? And I'm guessing you're Miss Kringle right?" Rachel said all this nervously. Kristen smiled and waved a little while Edward stood up shakily. "Rachel are you hurt?" Rachel shook her head and without thinking thinking she hugged him tightly. "You could've died dad!" Rachel hadn't realized she had called him that. Edward slowly hugged her back with his uninjured arm. "R-Rachel what did you say?" Rachel looked up at him and felt horrified. "I-I called you dad." Edward smiled and rubbed the teen's shoulder. Kristen watched the little development smiling in adoration. "I think we need to get your father bandaged up. He'll be fine sweetie." Kristen said this smiling at Rachel. Rachel broke away from Edward and followed them.
Rachel was relieved and happy that Ed was alright. She had surprised herself by calling him dad. Maybe things were looking up after all! Unfortunately, she had no idea how wrong she was. Kristen had given Ed an aspirin and Rachel decided to explore a little. Suddenly an old guy and a boy about ran into the GCPD. Rachel went up to him curiously. The boy turned to her, he had black hair and a cute boyish face with fancy clothes. Not exactly someone Rachel would hang out with but he seemed nice. "Umm hi I'm Rachel. Do you have a family member that works here too?" The boy smiled at her and said "No. My name is Bruce. Bruce Wayne." He held his hand out for her to shake. Rachel smiled back and shook his hand. "Nice to meet you Bruce." Just then Edward called her and Rachel started walking back to Edward and said over her shoulder, "See you around Bruce!" Then she skipped back to Edward.
*Time skip to evening*
Edward wasilent the entire drive home. Rachel looked out the window deep in thought. She wasn't exactly sure about Edward being her adoptive father. What if he saw what she was hiding underneath? And what if he was afraid of it? Just like her foster parents? Rachel shook the thought out of her head. She couldn't think like that. Rachel sighed feeling sleepy and ended up falling asleep the rest of the car ride. Edward pulled up to their apartment building and found Rachel sleeping peacefully in the passenger seat. Edward smiled and got out of the car and and opened the passenger side and gathered the sleeping teenager in his arms. "You're a tired little one aren't you?" Edward chuckled to himself and carried her up to the apartment. Once inside he went up to Rachel's room and placed her on her bed and pulled her converse sneakers off easily and neatly tucked her in making sure she was nice and warm. Edward smiled fondly at her. He liked the idea of taking care of a child. Edward was reminded so much of Emily. Rachel was innocent, yet sarcastic, snarky and a lot of times a smart mouth. He wondered when her naivety would leave her. Hopefully not too soon. He kissed her forehead saying, "Sleep tight, little enigma." And with that Edward left her room, turning off the light.
