Special thanks to chained2love, Beetlejuice101, and IsJustIs for following All Because I Love You;

And another special thanks scarletxshad0w, and Beetlejuice101 for favoring All Because I Love You.

Finally, a very special thanks xxyangxx2006, Jayce-Grayford, 23-17-46-11, and Johanna Crane for reviewing All Because I Love You.

Xxyangxx2006: I just realized how incredible your gift to be; I mean, you could imagine JONATHAN CRANE OR EDWARD NIGMA OR JARETH FROM THE LABRYNTH and sweet baby Jesus I now want that gift.

Jayce-Grayford: knowledge is very powerful; it would be awesome, because if you are super smart you could be rich or pull off bank heists or something.

23-17-46-11: I am ecstatic you like my story. And I know what you mean about the whole Oc falling into the Riddler's arms; it may be practical, and cute to read occasionally, but it just isn't how things work. I mean, we all are fascinated with the thought of having someone like a rogue fancy us, but there is no way in hell that we would actually do the things our OCS do. And just for you, Edward will be telling a little of his time at the convention with the Joker.

Johanna Crane: I am behind on way too many shows; online classes and attending classes in person and such is killing me. As for Harley, I agreed, if only in the DC universe. I'm sorry, but I think my all-time favorite villainess would have to be, shamefully so, Shego from Kim Possible. My childhood comes back to bite me in the ass all the time.

XXX

"So how was the convention?" Emily asked, redressing one of the bandages on Edward's arms.

"Oh splendid." He rolled his eyes, "Two hour plane ride with the Joker; I swear he is like a three year old. And when we got there, I was lucky enough to share a room with Jon; but the Joker was right next door and he never sleeps so we got no sleep. Then he blew up half the convention-"

"What?!"

"Mass casualties; needless to say we will not be returning to that city any time soon- and I am never going anywhere with the damn clown again." He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her to his chest, resting his chin on the top of her head, "In my defense, I did get you a t-shirt, but it is at the old warehouse."

"…Well thanks, I guess." Emily closed her eyes, "When will we leave?"

"When I believe it is safe to return," he answered, "Well, you will return when it is safe; I have to return today, actually."

"What? Why?" Emily sat up, glaring at him, "I want to go!"

"No; why do you even want to return?" Edward peered at her closely, as if observing her in a new light. For the second time in the past week, Emily didn't have an answer; why should she want to go? She would be much safer here, in this large home, then out there in Gotham.

"You would miss me," he stated finally, smugly, "You want to be with me, don't you, Emily?" Emily gaped at him, "What? Don't be ridiculous, Edward; I just don't want to be in this house all alone."

"Sure," he yanked her back to him, "I think I finally have you smitten with me; and its okay, Emily, the feeling is mutual."

"What- you know, just shut up; I don't like you, Edward." Emily looked away; she was blushing, and Edward smiled widely, "Oh poor little Emily, denying your feelings won't do anything. Why don't you just admit them?"

He laid her down and moved to straddle her waist, smiling broadly as he leaned down slightly and let one finger trail down her cheek; he purred lowly, "Oh, the things I could do you…. Darling just admit it, you are very much enjoying this."

"Not as much as you are, I imagine," she mumbled, closing her eyes, "Edward, please just get up."

"I want the truth," His lips brushed her cheek and he breath gently, "That's all I want, Emily; the truth." She paused and looked up; expecting to see trickery or malice in his eyes but what she saw instead was nothing but honesty. She opened her mouth but found her voice caught in her throat- unwilling to speak the truth.

The truth was she did… enjoy his presence. She didn't want to say that she loved him- she was a novice at love, and wasn't sure if she loved him. She appreciated him, the less evil and more funny him; she enjoyed teasing and joking with him.

"Emily," he whispered; she pressed her lips in a thin line and he got off her, still watching her. She closed her eyes and tried to get her thoughts in order, trying to answer but- she was now crying. Her throat felt tight, like something was stuck in it; her eyes burned and vision blurred. It felt complicated, far too complicated for her.

"Hey- Don't cry," Edward panicked grabbing her shoulders, "Just- please don't cry-" Emily moved, pushing against his chest and hugging him; he wrapped his arms around her and rubbed her back, "Emily-"

"I'm sorry," she whispered, her voice faint, "I don't know- I don't have an answer for you because I don't know what the answer is."

"It's- its okay, Emily," he mumbled, soothing her, "It's okay; I'm sorry for pushing." She mumbled something that to him sounded suspiciously close to, "You're a jerk", but he let it go. He hadn't the slightest that she would respond like this; it had given him a momentary heart attack.

"I… might like you."

"Might?"

"I don't know if I do or not; there are moments where you are very likable, then in the same moment you turn into a jerk." She explained; he laughed, Emily felt the vibrations in his chest, "I'm serious! Honestly Edward, do you expect me to fall into your arms after all you've done?"

"All I've done?" He asked, amused and leaning back; he now lay down on his side. His elbow supporting him, "Whatever have I done?"

"You kidnapped me," she deadpanned, "twice; you threatened my students, you broke into my house, you did god knows what with my dogs-"

"Actually," he held up a hand, stopping her, "Your dogs are untouched; all I did was drug them-"

"You drugged my dogs?!"

"You don't even like dogs-!" He defended, trying to escape Emily's wrath, "And they are perfectly fine-"

"Edward, you're missing the point," She groaned, burying her face in her hands, "You have hurt me, Edward. You have hurt me in a million ways; taking away the life I built, threatening me, hitting me, and you have done good but nowhere near enough to make me forgive you!"

"Then what do you want me to do?" He asked, pleading and staring at her with large eyes, "What will make what I've done better?"

XXX

"Damn," Emily hummed tipping back the beer bottle, "It's been too long."

"I thought you didn't drink?" Edward hummed, taking a sip of his own drink; they sat on the back lawn, spread out on a blanket and watching the sun go down over the lake.

"Occasionally, when I need it, I do," she snapped, closing her eyes and enjoying the sun light, "This is peaceful." And it really was; there was no bustle from city life, any bats or rogues… Just Emily, Edward, and a six pack of beer.

"You know," Edward began, "I think I have a solution to our problems."

"And the peace is ruined," Emily sighed, grabbing another beer; Edward grunted and rolled over, "No, I'm serious."

"Okay, Mr. Serious, tell me your solution."

"We should have sex." He said it with a straight face; Emily choked on her beer and started coughing, turning away from him with wide eyes, "Oh come on Emily! It wouldn't be that bad; in fact I guarantee you will have an excellent time." He placed a hand on her waist and she lurched away, laughing, "No way in hell, Edward."

"Well I suppose it is a good thing we aren't in hell, then," He growled, practically leaping across the blanket and straddling her, "Emily; how bad could it be?"

"Really, really bad." She coughed, turning away, "Nice try, Edward; but I'm not that drunk, yet."

"You're overreacting," He purred, leaning down and kissing her neck, "I honestly believe that we would be able to reach a conclusion concerning us if we were to simply try the basics of intimacy."

"Yeah, no, on the level your talking Edward, the basics would be a heavy make out session or something; I'm not sleeping with you, you are not going to be my-" she stopped suddenly, and looked up at him with a put out expression, "No."

"What were you going to say?"

"Nothing. Get off me; I command this of you."

"You cannot command me," he laughed, "Now Emily, just think about it; everything can be fixed, I mean, what do you have to lose?"

XXX

CLIFF HANGER

WILL EMILY DO IT? WILL SHE GIVE IN TO EDWARDS DEMANDS? FIND OUT NEXT WEEK, SAME TIME(ish, depends on whether or not it is really late Tuesday or really early Wednesday) AND SAME CHANNEL.

-Sketch1997