Hello loves! Sorry this is late! You wouldn't believe how stressful the past few weeks have been! I've had very little time to write. Luckily summer in on the way...and I'm graduating college...omg I'm becoming an adult! HELP!
Elizabeth sat next to Edward during dinner that night. The two of them relatively secluded as the others were at the opposite and Joker and Harley had a table by themselves. Edward had his hand on Elizabeth's thigh as they ate. He was tracing what Elizabeth hoped to be non-sense symbols and not a coded message on her leg. If it was code, she did not understand a word of it.
"Elizabeth," Edward said quietly.
"Yes?"
"Do not do anything to upset or test Strange anymore. It's too dangerous."
"What do you mean? I can handle a little danger."
Edward squeezed her leg tightly. "Not like this. One of my contacts told me that Strange is applying to have several of his lower security and lesser intelligent patients given an experimental method of treatment he devised to calm them down and make them docile. Do not give him a reason to do this to you."
"Is that so? Well thank you. I suppose I am lucky that so far he hasn't put me on any drugs."
"Do not take any of the drugs they give you except if you can confirm they are pain killers. You never know what they might do to you."
Elizabeth placed her hand over Edward's. "I've been on medication most of my life I'm not scared of them. But speaking of medication Edward, I have some very interesting information for you."
"Oh really?" Edward said with a mischievous smile, "and what would that be?"
"Ivy, she is given injections every few days to suppress her powers and it would only take two hours for her to gain part of her powers back."
"What are you suggesting?"
"Well, I am a little ashamed to say but an escape plan. I know I always said I would accept the consequences of my actions but I cannot stand being locked up anymore, Edward, I need to taste freedom again. That time with Cuvier—"
"You do not need to convince me, I have planned to take you with me when I escaped. But what are you thinking? It might speed up my plans."
"There are only two people who attended to Ivy during the injections. That troll nurse and the same guard, Erikson, I think. Anyways Ivy's cell is past mine and that glass wall I can easily break by throwing the toilet at it. It would be simple for me to incapacitate them and bar the door for two hours until Ivy regained enough of her powers to control the other guards. Then we could escape in chaos."
Edward leaned into Elizabeth and kissed her on the cheek. "Elizabeth that is a wonderful framework for a plan. I'll work out the details and you just avoid Strange's wrath."
"Sounds like a plan," Elizabeth said with a smile. "So question Edward, how do you want to play our relationship? I mean you do have a reputation to maintain. You're being awfully sweet right now won't that ruin it?"
"Oh don't worry about me Darling. Everyone here thinks you are my Harley Quinn and that I am just taking care of my toy."
"That sounds completely misogynistic," Elizabeth whispered into his ear.
"I know you're my puzzle that's totally different." Edward smirked playfully as Elizabeth smacked him on chest.
"Careful Edward this puzzle is missing a few pieces."
"Don't say that you are perfect the way you are."
Elizabeth sighed, the playfulness seeping away. "Not if you ask anyone else. Hell Edward, I feel like I am half in a panic, constantly worried about flashbacks. I've barely been sleeping because of the dreams. And it's entirely my fault that she is dead Edward, all my fault."
She could feel tears forming in her eyes. Edward's arm wrapped around her shoulders pulling her into his chest. "If it is anyone's fault it is Batman's for not pursuing Cuvier until forced to or mine for not finding you sooner."
"Shut it," Elizabeth said her voice partially muffled by Edward's chest. "It's not your fault."
"If it's not my fault then it is not your fault either. By default then it is Batman's fault…or better yet, this is Cuvier's fault. Laying blame does not change anything though."
Elizabeth looked up at him. "When did you get so wise and non-condemning?"
"No idea, it feels really odd." They both laughed. Smiling again Elizabeth sat up properly and put her arm around Edward's waist.
"You know," she said into his ear. "You said that there were plenty of places to finish what we started behind the guardhouse…any idea when we might find one of these places?"
A mischievous smile crossed Edward's face. "We'll have to wait two days, but I have just the place."
"Two days? That's when my dad is supposed to come back to talk about "family things". I would call that perfect timing. You can help me forget all the awful things he is going to say to me."
"My dear, I will make you forget your own name if you want." Edward said heatedly into her ear. Elizabeth blushed and Edward smiled. "I love making you blush with cheesiness."
Elizabeth nuzzled Edward's neck, breathing in his scent. She sighed. For the few minutes they were together everything was alright.
Alyssa knew what was coming. Cuvier had come in that morning giddy. It was time for the experiment. He had told her that it had been a month and a half since she was on the medication and his investors were growing impatient. They wanted to know the results now. He hadn't taken her right away though. Cuvier was letting her sit. She didn't know when they would come for her but they were coming.
The minutes dragged by turning in to achingly long hours. Finally after Alyssa was just starting to doubt that they were coming for her the door opened. Two muscled men entered with Able behind them. Able was looking over a clipboard while the other two men grabbed Alyssa roughly by the arms, dragging her to her feet.
"Good evening Alyssa, I hope you haven't been too worried. I know my father came in earlier and probably frightened you. Do not fret my calculations show that you will survive the experiment."
"Survive just to be killed later, how comforting."
"Actually no, I have arranged it with our investors that after the experiment is proven successful, you will be given to them. It is unlikely they will kill you they have an interest in meta-humans."
"Oh joy," Alyssa muttered, from the pot into the fire. Able smirked and left. The two men dragged Alyssa behind him. They walked for a while and stopped outside a door. From the other side Alyssa could hear Cuvier talking to Elizabeth. Dear god, he was going to make her watch like he had forced Alyssa to watch Elizabeth being tortured. As Able opened the door Alyssa lifted her head high. She would not allow Elizabeth to see her weak and she would not give Cuvier the satisfaction of seeing her scared. Head still high she walked into the experimental chamber where Able was waiting to strap her down.
"Ready to begin?"
Elizabeth was yelling out in her sleep again, another nightmare about Cuvier. She awoke with a start. Sweat was drenching her back making the cotton uniform stick to her skin.
"Bad dreams again Grey," Harley said sleepily. "You really should talk about 'em to someone." There was a long pause where nothing could be heard but the sound of the night lights buzzing.
"He made me watch." Elizabeth said to the ceiling but knowing full well that Harley would hear her.
"What was that, Grey? Made you watch what?"
"Cuvier made me watch when he put Alyssa through the experiment. They forced these massive huskies to bite her then dumped her in a chemical bath. She was screaming the entire time. Before she had tried to be brave but she was screaming in pain and fear all because of me."
"Ah, Grey," Harley said and Elizabeth could hear her get off the bed and come over to the glass wall. "That's just awful. He made you watch all that?"
"He let me in afterwards to bandage her up. She was alive. I know it. She survived the experiment. He let me see her a few days after. She woke up. Her eyes were gold. I saw them. She lived…"
"And then somehow she died?"
"Somehow? More like someone. Cuvier probably killed her or he tried to make her fight before she was healed enough and was killed then. Fucking asshole I could kill him all over again."
"That reminds me Grey, ya' never told us how you killed him."
"It is a little bit of a blur like I did it in a dream, yet I know it was real…" Elizabeth said slowly. "I could have done anything to him, strangulation, snapped his neck, but after all he put me through I went and I ripped his heart from his chest. You know the human heart is like a fluttering bird when it's beating in your hands."
"Wow, Grey, that's really sick…I love it! That bastard deserved it!"
Elizabeth smiled up at the ceiling. Her heart had calmed and sleep was beginning to creep once more into her mind. "Thanks Harley," she said with a yawn, "I'm going back to bed. Hope I don't wake you again."
"Alright. Night Grey."
"Night…"
Edward was ready to kill someone out of boredom. This morning even before breakfast he had been taken by some of the guards to one of the isolated rooms they liked to beat patients in. No beating came though. He was simply strapped down on one of the chairs and left there. By Edward's estimate he had been down here for five hours. His stomach was rumbling and the straps on his wrists had begun to chafe. There was the notion in the back of his head that this was Strange's doing. The notion was confirmed when the guards returned and took Edward up to one of Strange's therapy rooms in Arkham's newly refurbished wing. It took another hour for Strange to come in.
"Good Afternoon Mr. Nygma."
"Strange."
"That is Doctor Strange to you."
"Isn't that the name of a comic book character?"
"Do you know why you are here," Strange asked ignoring Edward's stab.
"Why would I know that? I've been kept in isolation for the past several hours. I will assume though this has something to do with Elizabeth."
"Yes and no. I have been meaning to speak to you for a while now Mr. Nygma. Your connection to my patient is only a bonus."
"Oh joy." Edward said with a roll of his eyes.
"Come now Mr. Nygma there is no reason to be like that. I merely wish to ask you a few questions. I am interviewing the patients with all these questions; I have the permission of Doctor Arkham if that is your concern."
"Being allowed to use an experimental drug and now this, you sure are getting Dr. Arkham to approve a lot of your requests, especially for a new employee."
"Doctor Arkham merely understands my work, Mr. Nygma. Now if you please I would prefer to begin."
"Oh of course, can't keep the good doctor waiting." Edward said rolling his eyes again. "Go ahead and ask away, I cannot promise I will answer though. Just ask Dr. Leeland."
"You will answer Mr. Nygma or else I will not allow you and Elizabeth to see each other again."
"Oh, I see, this is what Elizabeth meant when she said you were manipulative. But I have a question for you, why should I care? I have plenty of other ways to see Elizabeth apart from meal times."
"You misunderstand Mr. Nygma, unsurprising for someone with your limited intellect. I am not talking merely about meals. I will lock Elizabeth up in solitary confinement until you answer my questions if need be."
Edward's knuckles turned white as he clenched the chair arms. Not at the slight on his intellect, he was used to those, but at the threat to Elizabeth. "And that worked out so well for Gullenrow didn't it? Strange I believe you severely underestimate how—haha—special Elizabeth is. She is a pure survivor if you do anything to harm her she will maim you, might even kill you, and if for some reason she cannot then I will."
Strange laughed, it was a cold and humorless sound. "How amusing Mr. Nygma," he looked down at his clipboard, "now I want you to tell me about your first encounter with the Batman. All the details you can remember."
Edward smirked. So that was how Strange wanted to play this. Alright. "He looked like a big black bat."
"Mister Nygma you will answer my questions to the fullest extent or else you will never see Miss Howard while you are residing in this asylum."
"And I'll take 'unoriginal threats for six hundred'. Question: this man is making a boring threat right now. Answer: who is Doctor Hugo Strange?"
"Mister Nygma you will—" Strange was cut off at that moment by the door slamming open to reveal an irate Joan Leeland.
"Doctor Strange, how dare you interview one of my patients without telling me and without my permission? You, guard, take Mr. Nygma back to his cell."
"No. I am sorry Dr. Leeland but Dr. Arkham gave me permission to interview all the patients and I am interviewing Mr. Nygma currently."
"The hell you are. Doctor Arkham does not have the right to give you that permission. Stand up Edward you are leaving now." Edward stood a very smug expression on his face.
"Not so fast. Doctor Leeland, do you truly want to try me on this? After all it was you who did not ask Dr. Arkham if you could take those illicit photographs of Elizabeth last time she was here for your sessions with Mr. Nygma."
"Yes, Elizabeth was also not a patient at that time meaning she could give her own consent for the photographs. While in Arkham it is the patient's doctor who is in charge of them and must give consent for anything they do. I have not given consent and I will be talking to all the other doctors to ensure that they gave you their permission to talk to their charges. Now come along Edward the others are already in the cafeteria and Elizabeth is waiting."
Edward could feel Strange's rage as they left and it took all his effort to keep from laughing.
"Wipe that smile off your face Edward." Leeland said after they had entered the old part of Arkham. "Doctor Strange will be coming back with a vengeance now."
"I can take anything he can conceive of and so can Elizabeth. Fret not. Though I do suppose you deserve a bit of gratitude. Thank you Dr. Leeland."
Leeland raised an eyebrow in surprise which was unsurprising to Edward as she had never known gratitude from him before. "Thank you Edward. It is nice to hear that."
"I must ask though Doctor, why do you care? About Elizabeth and I that is?"
Leeland sighed. One of the few times she had shown weakness in front of Edward. "I really shouldn't tell you but I suppose you do deserve an answer. Before she came back to Arkham I thought that perhaps she could give you a new purpose rather than besting Batman, she was—is—good for you. Now while I am still hopeful that you will both stop your criminal ways, I believe that you are good for her. You can help her from going further down the dark path into madness. One of these days I fear she might never come out of those "psychotic breaks" she has. Any greater shocks than what she has had already could mentally ruin her."
"I see, well I am sure Elizabeth would appreciate your concern. However, I will not allow anything else to happen to her, so you need not fear."
Doctor Leeland smiled and her chest moved in suppressed laughter. "How is it that we have gained more ground in just these few minutes than in the several months I have been treating you."
Edward's mouth turned down in displeasure and Leeland pretended not to notice. "Alright, Edward here we are. Elizabeth will be waiting for you…where are the guards?"
Indeed the guards that were supposed to be outside the cafeteria were gone. From inside they could hear a terrible ruckus. Suddenly the doors burst open. A guard ran out one side of his face covered in blood.
"Doc! Get out of here! Zsasz has started attacking patients! He never should have been allowed out!"
Doctor Leeland might have shouted after Edward or tried to stop him but he didn't hear. With a shout of panic Edward ran through the still open doors. "Elizabeth!" He pushed through the crowds of half panicked, half excited patients.
"Elizabeth!?" He cried again. What if this was Strange's plan all along? Get him away from Elizabeth and have Zsasz attack her?
"Edward!" An excited cry came from the center of the room by the Rogue's table. "Over here!"
Forcing his way through the wall of people Edward came upon the sight of Elizabeth pinning Zsasz to the ground. Both of his arms were bent at a strange angle and he was laughing about how he was going to kill everyone.
"I will free all of you from your life! You are all zombies!"
"Shut it." Elizabeth said striking him on the temple and knocking him out.
"Elizabeth, are you alright?" Edward asked approaching her cautiously.
"Yeah," she replied standing up and giving Zsasz a kick to ensure he was unconscious. "Where were you this morning? Why weren't you here until now?"
"Nothing much my dear, Strange just wanted to have a chat with me…you're hurt." He noted. Indeed there were several small cuts across Elizabeth's arms, bruises were forming under the bandages around her throat, and once again the cut above her right eye had opened up, slowly dripping blood down her face.
"Well I was just in a fight, now wasn't I?" It was then that a line of guards came in through the door commanding everyone to sit down.
"Where is Zsasz?" One of the guards asked once most of the patients were seated.
"Over here," Elizabeth called, "don't worry I got him for you!"
Edward ribbed Elizabeth. It wouldn't do for her to gloat that she was better at controlling Zsasz than the guards. Being the sensitive children that they were they would take offense. Right now though, the guards just seemed to be pleased that they didn't have to deal with Zsasz.
"Alright," one of the guards said to his fellows. "Let's get these guys over to medical. The rest of them can sit and we can let the doctors sort them out."
The gaggle of guards mumbled their agreement. They hoisted the injured and left. Once the doors had closed Edward and Elizabeth looked at each other.
"You must be hungry," Elizabeth said grabbing a random tray from the table.
"Indeed but I only want to devour you."
It was Elizabeth's turn to rib him. "Eat and tomorrow if you deliver on your promise you can turn me into an all you can eat buffet."
"Sounds like a plan to me." Edward took the tray from Elizabeth and began to eat. After several minutes of general silence in the cafeteria Harley piped up.
"Hey, has anyone seen Mista J?"
Alright...so have you all watched the season finally of Gotham? EDWARD! OMG! What did you guys think? I can't wait for next season to see the rise of the Riddler!
Also another question for you my darlings...like last time I am taking suggestions for something to happen further on in the story. There could you all comment on something you would like to see in story. It can be anything from "more smexy time" to a type of crime to an interaction between Edward and this character or Elizabeth and this character or "could you explain this". Really tell me what is the number one thing you want to see happen in this story? I will try and include most of them if I can fit them in or if you just have question about Elizabeth or any character I can answer them for you if I can't fit them in. (If ya'll didn't see I have a list of a few character questions for Elizabeth on under 'My Stories').
