Author's note: Aren't I good to you guys? A brand new chapter planned, written and published in less than 24 hours? Oh! I know I'm surprised but it is all thanks to you, the fabulous readers. If I knew that no one had read chapter 8 yet, I wouldn't have written this for like another week. I hope you guys stick around! Enjoy :)

An Old Friend – Chapter 9

Poison Ivy's point of view

As I tend to my babies, I can't help but muse over what I discovered today. After Iris went home, I went back to my cell instead of returning to the recreation room. The downside to having so much experience with plants is that I can tend to them without having to think about it, hence having more than ample time to muse over the knowledge of Iris's crush on Jonathan but also that she doesn't look like she's taking very good care of herself. Oh sure, she clearly eats well and exercises regularly so physically she's healthy but mentally, I'm not so sure. Once Jonny boy pointed out the slight hollowness of her cheeks, the beginnings of circles of her eyes, the hint of paleness on her lips, all that weren't noticeable until she fell asleep.

Could Jonathan be right? Is she experiencing some sort of post-traumatic stress disorder? And could it be, horrifyingly, brought upon by Alana's death? The thought that my old friend may have been murdered or have had an accident that brought upon her death sends a chill down my spine, a chill that I can't help but physically react to.

"Calm yourself" I say to myself. "It might have been an aneurism or something. It could have been something that she was born with and it just so happened to burst."

Even though I hear the words I'm saying, it still doesn't eliminate seeing Iris the way she was. I just hope that she's able to get a decent night's sleep tonight.

"Isly" I hear a gruff voice say, making my defences go up instantly.

"Commissioner Gordon" I reply neutrally, straightening my posture and composing my expression. I turn to face the door of my cell where Gordon, Young and Batman are standing.

Young speaks before the two men get a chance, "We need to speak with you" she implores. I go and sit down on my cot, still facing them and give them a 'go ahead' gesture.

Gordon steps closer to my cell, "It's about Nygma. We have reason to believe that he has been contacting inmates these past few weeks and wanted to know if you had any knowledge of such events."

I make sure to look confused, no need to inform them that Eddie and I talk weekly, "Why would he do that?" I ask. Young looks convinced straight away that I have nothing further to tell them but Gordon and Bats look suspicious.

"Are you sure?" Gordon says, "You haven't heard from him or heard gossip that he's been contacting inmates?"

I glare at Young, making it seem as though I'm irritated. "You told them?!" I exclaim, "I shared the rumours of Riddler possibly attacking guards with you out of the strictest confidence" I add, making my tone sound offended.

She stammers for a moment, "N-n-no that wasn't my intention" she says, trying to calm me.

I continue with my fake rant as though I didn't hear her, "How much more of our so-called private conversations have you shared with Gotham PD and Bat-boy? Urgh, I'm done with this conversation" I state before I lie down on my cot and roll over so that my back is facing them.

I hear Young hurrying away, being followed by Gordon who is probably trying to calm her or apologise or something. To play it safe I close my eyes and pretend to sleep, just in case Batman hasn't left. He can be quieter than a praying mantas, it's incredibly annoying.

O~O~O

Instead of waking up peacefully like I normally do, my eyes shoot open and a small gasp leaves my lips. I have to find out why Iris is starting to look unwell, it'll be the death of me if I don't. Sighing I get out of my cot and tend to my babies in an attempt to calm my racing heartbeat.

"I need a distraction that's all I need" I mutter to myself.

As I had hoped, my little darlings ease my mind and allow me to think of more pleasant things. One thought that come to my mind is whether or not I can determine if Iris and Jonathan would ever have a romantic relationship. I can't outright ask him, then he'll know and Iris would be humiliated. I might be able to as vaguely related questions but he's always able to tell if someone has an ulterior motive. Drat, I need someone to talk to.

Suddenly I shiver, feeling cold. Which could only mean one thing, Freeze is out of isolation. Sure enough when I look to my cell door, I see Young and Doctor Leland approaching with Freeze and Selina following. They stop at my door and let me out to take us all to breakfast.

As I walk out I raise an eyebrow at the infamous catwoman, "Boyfriend lock you up again?" I ask coyly.

She sneers at me, "Go put some clothes on" she replies, causing me to roll my eyes and smirk.

The two doctors move us along before we can start a proper argument and I'm placed next to Freeze in the cafeteria once we arrive.

"Touchy" I sniff, flicking my hair and I start to at my breakfast. Freeze just sits in his seat and says nothing. I look up at him, "Not hungry?" I ask, although I know that his little suit thing probably eliminates the need to eat but hey, I'm being polite.

He tilts his head nonetheless, "No I'm not." Then suddenly, now that the ice is broken, if you'll pardon the expression, he becomes quite chatty. "So what has transpired since our last conversation? Has Iris had her cast removed?"

I nod, "Yesterday morning" I clarify, then I have a light-bulb moment. "Can I run something by you?" I ask him. "It would have to stay between us at all costs" I tell him.

He thinks my request over for a moment before nodding, "Please, tell me you concern."

Ensuring that no one can hear me, I tell him everything. About my concern that Iris isn't sleeping well, about my wonder into how exactly Alana died and whether or not it has something to do with Iris looking tired, as well as Iris's crush on Jonathan and whether or not I can find out if there might be a chance that her feelings are reciprocated or not.

"So?" I ask once I've vented, "Any thoughts?"

He mulls over the information that I've told him while we're escorted to the recreation room. The only good thing about repetitive the days are here is that they're predictable.

O~O~O

In the rec room, I want to give Freeze more than enough time to be able to digest what I told him, so we sit together and watch the news. It seems that Eddie has been producing some more havoc, but that it's taking a while for his 'masterpieces' to be discovered.

"Pamela?" I hear.

Turning my head I see Jonathan enter the room and make his way to Freeze and I. A sideways glance from Freeze assures me that he won't say anything.

"What's new Jonathan?" I ask as I create a spot for him to sit.

He nods at Freeze who then turns back to the television before sitting next to me, covertly placing a piece of paper in my hand as he does so. I take it and sit on it so that the guards don't see.

"Did you and Iris have a pleasant time in the gardens yesterday?" he enquires. Hmm that's interesting.

Figuring that this is a perfect opportunity to slyly determine how he feels for Iris, I say "For the most part is was lovely."

Turning his head he probes, "Most part?"

Piling on the fake reluctance I 'confess', "She shared a personal concern of hers to me that is causing her a fair bit of distress."

I watch his expression for any hint as to what this news means to him. To his credit, he has a very good poker face but his brow furrows ever so slightly for the tiniest hint of a moment. That's enough for me, he's got some degree of concern for Iris that goes beyond friendly politeness.

He seems to choose his words carefully, "Is it possible for you to share such a concern?" he asks.

I shake my head, "Sorry Jonathan, she told me in the strictest of confidence. It's a girl thing, I can't tell you."

He pursues his lips for a moment before nodding slowly, "I can respect that" he says finally.

I give him a small smile, "Thank you" I say. "Strictly speaking, I'm not even sure if I should have said as much as I have. Although I don't think I have revealed anything too detailed."

He gives me a small smile in return, "No you definitely didn't" he says before he's summoned by a guard to go to a session. He nods by a way of farewell to Freeze and I before he leaves the room.

Freeze speaks for the first time since breakfast, "That was interesting" he remarks.

"His response?" I clarify to which he nods.

"If I hadn't of been looking for it, I wouldn't have seen it" he elaborates. "There was most certainly an emotional response to what you told him."

I nod in agreement and quickly read what is on the paper, managing to sit on it again before the guards or doctors noticed. Freeze subtly gestures to a nodule on the arm of his suit. I take the hint and freeze the paper, making it brittle before I smash it with my fingers, completely disintegrating it. Small ice shards are the norm around Freeze so it won't raise any alarms.

"From Nygma?" he asks lowly, and I nod.

"Just letting me know that the house he's found for Iris is all ready to go. She can move in whenever she wants and no one will bother her" I inform, relaying the information that I had read.

We sit in silence for a moment before he speaks again, "I have thought about what you told me this morning. Would you like to hear my thoughts?"

"Yes I would. I need to hear a third person's opinion."

He nods and begins, being mindful of who might hear. "In regards to the romantic feelings, I agree with your assessment. The relationship would most definitely be in secret from the general world but known to us. Additionally I don't believe anything as such will transpire unless he is to break out of Arkham and seek refuge with her, knowing that she won't be bothered."

I nod, absorbing his words. They make so much more sense coming out of his mouth. I gesture for him to continue.

He waits a moment until the guards have done their sweep of the room before saying, "As for your other concerns, I cannot say for myself if Iris appears to be more tired than usual as I have not seen her for many weeks. However I believe that you can always check a medical database for information about Alana's death. She was quite well known and many have mourned her, regardless of if her death was an accident, murder or otherwise, it would be recorded somewhere."

"It's so obvious, I wonder why I didn't think of it myself" I remark but he persists.

"However" he says, "You should be mindful of Iris' feelings. She may very well have every intention of telling you the entire truth in the near future but she may not yet be ready. If you go behind her back, she will most likely see it as a betrayal."

I purse my lips as I think over his words, "You're right" I say with a sigh. "I don't want her to not trust me. Would it be a bad thing if I carefully brought it up the next time I say her?" I ask, needing his level-headedness with what to do.

After a moment, he shakes his head, "Provided that you let her know that she doesn't have to answer, I don't see why not. Perhaps try and ask her while the two of you are alone, she may be more willing to speak about such a topic then."

I nod, agreeing with his logic as a guard catches my attention. It must be time for my session with Young. I touch his hand as I thank him for his advice before I leave. I can't be certain but I'm sure I caught him smile.

Author's note: I think it was a nice change to hear from Ivy for once, it breaks up the tone and makes it fresh. That's my opinion anyway. Please let me know what you think in a review and with some luck I will have another chapter up for you soon :D Until next time, bye!