Edward Nygma Age 11:

"Haha look at him he isn't even doing anything!"

Ed frowned looking completely unimpressed as his notebook was shredded in front of him by older kids. He was about to turn when a hand landed on his shoulder and spun him around.

"We all know who really made the teacher fall," the bully snarled. "It was you."

Poor Edward Nygma tried to escape but the grip was tight around his arm, it felt like the blood was being stopped.

"It wasn't," Ed cried feeling tears of pain well in his eyes. He didn't know why kids and teachers alike were blaming him for his teacher for tripping and breaking her leg on the stairs. "I had nothing to do with it."

"So your blaming one of us?" another student piped coldly. The others started to join and Ed suddenly felt like he was only a foot tall.

"Wha-…No, it's no ones' fault. She was known for being clumsy sometimes."

"You think that pathetic excuse will save your ass Nygma?"

A strong blow to his stomach made the youth cringe slightly. Another knee to his side made him fall. More blows were delivered until Ed bit down so hard on his cheek that he could taste blood.

"Come on guys someone's gonna see," a voice whined.

"Not until this idiot gets his punishment."

There were footsteps and the other boys were starting to catch onto the nervous jitter. The leader gave Ed a few final kicks before they all ran off.

Ed just lied there, wondering when the pain would be over, when the blood would stop flowing and the tears stop pouring. He could hear the footsteps pass a couple feet away and Ed was worried for a sec that the bullies would come back. But there was nothing and Ed slowly rose to his feet. Wiping the blood from his nose on his sleeve, he quickly rolled them up hiding the evidence before staggering back to class.

XXXXXX

Present Day – four days later:

A small shudder ran through Ed's body as his eyes slowly opened, he felt tubes and bandages covering his body. He looked up to the white ceiling feeling his chest constrict in light pulses making it difficult to breath.

"Mr. Nygma."

The coroner turned and his eyes saw a blurred figure that looked a lot like Victor. The hitman handed Ed his glasses who fumbled to put them on.

"Penguin gives you his condolences on your unfortunate condition and Falcone gives you his thanks on your hard work against Maroni. As his thanks your medical bills have been cared for as well as some other unpleasantness."

Ed was confused.

"Unpleasantness?"

"A few men were hired by Maroni but they have been disposed of," Victor rose to his feet. "Should you need any more assistance you are to call this number."

He pressed a paper into Ed's hand then took his leave.

Ed looked at the paper then balled it up tossing it into the trash bin.

He looked over to the side to see something wrapped in familiar twine and parchment paper. First his heart leapt heights, Kristen had come to see him when he was unconscious. It was pit when he was unconscious but at least she came to him. Then his heart dropped and he felt nervous, almost too much to even touch the object. Taking in a small breath he took the puzzle box and opened it as the paper fell away he looked at the unfinished box with a heavy heart. He wondered if Kristen had finished it but just handed it back for him to solve himself. It seemed slightly pointless but Ed went along with the last of his hope. His fingers slide over the puzzle quickly and within seconds he lifted the lid. Inside the note was still there, it had looked like it was still unopened; untouched.

There was a knock at the door and Ed quickly stuffed the box between the sheets as the door opened. Detective Gordon came in, a small bruise had formed on his face where Max had punched him but either than that he looked relatively okay.

"How are you doing?" James asked sitting in the chair.

"Better," Ed answered.

"Where is Airin? She's being missing for a couple days now since that night, Captain placed a BP on her but nothing," James gave Ed a slightly look. "And from the looks of it we're not going to find her anytime soon."

Ed didn't say anything so James continued.

"I assume that Oswald had snuck her out of the city is that correct?"

"I hope."

James nodded.

"How is Detective Bullock doing?"

"He will be fine," James said, "and so will Max."

Ed paused for a few beats. "So what happens now?"

"He has been fixed up and is currently being transported to Blackgate Penitentiary where he will remain until his trial."

"What do you think will happen?"

"He'll be tried under his charges accordingly, most likely get life-sentence this time," James then eyed Ed with a bit of suspicion. "What do you want to happen?"

"I want him to be charged accordingly," Ed repeated.

James knew that something was missing from Ed's words but he decided not to push. With Airin gone and Max facing impending charges a lot must be going through his mind and some of it can't be good thoughts.

Ed tried to be glad but he didn't feel it. Max was getting what he deserved even though he deserved more than just imprisonment. Airin was finally being whisked away even though she may never be happy again. Ed tried to find a middle ground for the whole situation but couldn't. There were only two sides, the good and the bad and all the points were going to the bad side.

"We here at Wayne Enterprise are proud to announce the success in human trials for the vaccine against the virus that caused over one hundred people to be hospitalized," the tv hummed. The two looked over and James turned the volume up slightly. "The vaccine is available to anyone and is suggested to be taken by those who reside in the West and North end of Gotham and beyond the border."

The camera veered to a young black woman who was dressed in a smart suit and had a rather kind expression. But her eyes shone something different: something close to coldness.

"The conclusion of these results are being felt and gladdened by all the entire corporation," the young woman said, her voice sharp like a knife. "Members of the board think of this as a way to show all of Gotham that we will never falter. With the unfortunate passing of Thomas and Martha Wayne we will prevail in the dark to shine the light. We will continue to serve the people of Gotham."

The speech was well received with a rousing applause from the audience. Back in the hospital Ed and James just stared at the screen.

"Airin would've been able to tell them that," Ed muttered.

James nodded, he looked over to see the same notebook he had thumbed through on the bed table. Ed followed his gaze and then picked it up.

"You shouldn't have done that," reminding James of his mistake. The detective sighed inwardly as if to say that he knows and is still sorry.

"Did you find what you were looking for?"

James paused. "Yes."

Ed blinked surprised.

There was another knock at the door and this time Captain Essen entered. She was dressed in her usual sharp suit.

"Mr. Nygma," Captain Essen nodded. "Detective Gordon."

Ed straightened himself the best he could on the bed while James stood giving his captain a small nod. She waved them down and the two relaxed a bit. Only seconds after Essen came in Detective Bullock, his arm was in a cast and in a sling around his shoulder.

"Hurts a bit to be honest," Harvey said when his partner asked about his arm. "But I think Smartass beat me in most points for pain."

Captain Essen just rolled her eyes.

"Has a nurse come in to see you yet?" she asked Ed.

"No," Ed replied but then quickly said. "But I'm fine Captain, really."

"You were shot in the side, had lost a lot of blood on the way to the hospital and had a transfusion."

The way his captain said it made it sound worse. Ed swallowed the slight fear that rose in his chest and replied evenly: "I assure you I'm fine Captain."

Captain Essen wasn't convinced, neither were the detectives.

"I'll get a nurse in here soon," she promised. "In the meantime, you two I want back at the station and searching for Airin."

Ed straightened the best he could. "Let me help ma'am."

"You've done enough," her voice was slightly accusatory. "Your rights will be read in a couple hours, from the hospital you will be transferred to a holding cell in the precinct until you can be transferred to Blackga-."

Captain Essen's phone started to ring and she excused herself moving out of the room. Bullock moved out too saying he had to take a piss. Once the door was closed James looked back at Ed who was paler than usual and looked to be shaking a bit.

"I suppose you did warn me numerous times," Ed finally spoke, his voice was hollow.

James didn't reply. Ed's heart was in the right place there was no mistake but it was just the way he did it. If he had gone through proper legal channels to achieve legal guardianship over Airin then Ed would've been saved from charges. The coroner kept saying that he never anticipated on housing the Pyro for as long as he did, but James knows what happens when you get attached to something.

"You said that you took her in because she was the only one who appreciated it," James repeated slowly.

Ed looked at the detective. "Do you deny it Detective?"

"You are appreciated Ed."

"But that only goes to a point. The evidence points to the culprit but you and Bullock are the one who catches him. In the end it's you who reap the reward."

James didn't reply right away. He took in what Ed spoke with interest, each time his mind tried to reason with Ed's argument it hit a dead end.

"Sometimes the evidence can hit a dead end," Ed reminded.

"But your evidence never has," James abruptly said knowing he could defend that. "It's always been right."

The coroner tapped his finger on the pocketbook.

"I don't care about reward," Ed continued honestly. "Just something to know that I'm not being used."

The door suddenly burst open and James turned. His captain's expression was dire as well as a bit panicked. Behind her Harvey raced behind her slightly confused.

"Guys the Commissioner is calling a Code Red, Max had escaped from the transport."

"He did what?!" Harvey exclaimed.

"I'll go," James said jumping up. "Captain I want guards posted at Ed's door just in case."

"Agreed."

James went to leave when Ed grabbed his arm.

"Checking my apartment would be stupid," Ed informed quickly. "He knows I won't be there and neither will Airin."

"Where?"

"West end, that's the only place where she will be able to blend in perfectly amongst the homeless."

James nodded and shouted orders to a couple officers.

"Anywhere else?"

"Don't go where he escaped from, it's pointless because he'll expect you to go there and search around that area. Max doesn't have a lot of time and he will start to panic, he will make mistakes, see the obvious."

James nodded and headed off.

XXXXXX

Outside his partner ran up to him shouting a few things to a couple officers.

"I have a couple guys who are on their way up."

"Good."

"What did Nygma say? Anything useful?"

"'See the obvious.'"

Bullock blinked. "What? Is that it?"

"…yeah…"

Bullock opened his mouth to say something but then shut it and raised his hand.

"You don't have to come if you don't want to," James said nodding to his casted hand.

"Ain't working like that partner."

The two walked down the hall.

"If Max escaped near the bridge then that would be the East side, get as many officers as possible to search through the South and North side too. How many men have Captain Essen placed in the hospital?"

"At least twenty, at least two at all entrances and she will have three posted around Ed's place."

"Let's hope that's enough."

Bullock looked over at his partner.

"We'll start in the South," James continued ignoring his partner's stare. "From there we'll make our way back around the hospital and towards the West."

The partner nodded.

XXXXXX

Two hours later:

Max walked down the hallway happy that the people got the message. The guards that the pathetic precinct captain had posted weren't even worth the energy. So he didn't spend it. The only one who would be smart enough to put up a fight was Ed – that is if he hadn't died of his wounds already.

He was glad that he had the hospital map to help him out or else he would've wondered around the building. He didn't pay attention to the desk nurse dialling the police, nor the visitors, patients, doctors and nurses alike cowering in the rooms.

He made to ICU in good time, and the whole floor had been cleared. The guards who were supposed to be guarding Ed fled no doubt hearing their companion's screams over the radio. From where he was he saw the machine give the coroner life, it showed all his vital signs and showed that he was in good condition.

"Out of all of it you're still here," Max whispered as he entered his room. His hands were red with blood. He stalked towards Ed who seemed to be sleeping. "After that you should be dead, but you won't live a peaceful life – I'll make sure of that."

Max leaned over Ed's bed seeing the coroner asleep. Quickly he grabbed his throat, Ed gagged a couple times before his eyes snapped open. He tried to pry off his attacker's hands but they had his throat in an iron like grip. Ed did the only thing he could he threw himself right at Max forcing his body over the bed railings and sprawled onto the floor.

The machines started wailing loudly as the needles popped from his skin. The exertion made Ed gasp heavily as pain slammed into his side and red seeped through his gown.

He tried to block as many of the convict's attacks but Max punched Ed in the face. He returned a blow but his strength didn't match and it had no effect. Ed finally got the upper hand and threw Max off him coughing violently as he tried to get oxygen back into his body. He turned and raised his arms as best he could as Max slashed down with a scalpel only getting the hospital gown. He forced another direct attack knocking Ed to the ground and proceeded to punch him in the face again before trying to strangle him. Ed tried to kick under Max but the man had him pinned down. The coroner looked down to see the dropped scalpel, quickly grabbing it he stabbed upward catching Max in his arm then against stabbed down again near his collarbone.

Max screamed as he gripped the handle and ripped the blade from his skin sending a line of blood splattering across the floor. Ed struggled to his feet, dragging whatever was failing to move which was most of his body. A fall of kicks assaulted his body including to the bullet wound causing stars to sparkle in Ed's eyes against an oncoming darkness that edged his vision.

Then he smelt something familiar – like something was burning.

Max turned and his eyes widened as Airin grabbed him by the throat and raised her other hand. Snap! She slammed her gauntlet into his face just as the flame shot out.

"Gggyyraaahhh!"

Ed watched as Max's face melted, twisted into an obscene mess. She pushed the dead body to the side and then walked over to Ed who propped up on his elbows.

"Are you alright?" she asked.

Ed nodded. "Why are you here? Penguin was supposed to get you out of the city."

Airin didn't say anything for a few seconds. Both could hear footsteps stop at the door, a slightly gasp of horror and Ed saw the nurse run away.

"Airin you have to leave. I don't want to see you…."

"My mom use to say that we are responsible for our own paths," Airin said. "And that if we do something bad we must pay for the mistakes we have made."

There was a small pause.

"I'm so tired."

Ed laid a hand on Airin shoulder and touched her hand. He lifted the palm seeing severally burnt skin on her palm he looked up and then undid the bond around her head. The cloth fell away to reveal a sewn up eye with black thread.

Staggering to his feet he managed to help Airin to hers. When they turned they saw five guns pointed in their direction. Airin's calm expression changed in a blink and it became hard and cold like ice.

"Everybody stand down!"

Detective Gordon and Detective Bullock pushed their way through, forcing guns to lower as they passed by. Captain Essen came in last. She immediately saw the body and even though its face had been completely burned off, knew that it was Max. Essen looked up to see Ed wrap a protective arm around Airin almost ready to push her back if must. All three were a bit shocked and taken aback by Airin's sewn eye and looked at Ed who didn't return the accusatory gaze.

"Ed, tell Airin to stand down and hand over her weapons," Captain Essen ordered.

The coroner looked at Airin.

"Airin…," Ed said gently. "It's alright. You did it."

The Pyro returned Ed's gentle stare, a ghost of exhaustion passed over her face and it looked like she had temporarily aged. Airin looked at the authorities and took off her gauntlets, handing them over to Ed.

"Airin, you're under arrest," Captain Essen said.

The Pyro nodded and didn't resist as Detective Gordon came forward with cuffs and read her, her rights. Ed watched the whole thing in silence and then waited for his turn. Surprisingly it never came and he knew why.

Once Airin was gone Ed gave into his own exhaustion and pain. He collapsed. Numb he felt something press down on him like a heavy weight.

"Help….to….bed..."

The words were distant and thick as if someone had something stuffed in their mouth as they talked. As Ed was carried and laid on the hospital bed, he gave a final look over at Max's corpse.

In the end you got what you wanted coward.