Chapter 105
I'm resting in bed when there's a knock at my door.
"I'll get it. You stay dormant," Ed smiles, getting up from his chair.
I smile and nod, but as he gets up and leaves the room, I start to sit up and lean over to see through the crack in the door. Please god, let that not be Oswald…
Ed opens the door and find Renee, and Crispus standing outside. They all lean back, their eyes widening, I bet they didn't expect to find Ed here.
"Nygma…? Look, is Natalie home?" Renee asks, leaning past Ed to peer into the apartment.
He nods, "Yes, but she is currently unwell. If you have business with her, I suggest you put it on hold until she has recovered-"
"Ed, I know Natalie's not feeling well, but this is urgent," Crispus interrupts, "please, let us see her."
Ed slowly begins to nod, "Oh...okay."
Even though Ed nodded his head in agreement, he still doesn't step away from the door, instead standing completely still, with his hands folded in front of him.
"Uhm...Ed?" Renee prodes.
He suddenly snaps out of his trance, and steps out of the way, "Right, right. She's in the bedroom...but, but I still would advise against disturbing her!"
Renee and Crispus step into the bedroom, with Renee opening the door.
"Hey guys," I smile, sitting up to greet them.
Crispus sits down at my bedside, "Hey Natalie, how're you feeling?"
"I'm...better, I guess. Turns out I have a concussion. Ed's been taking care of me," I explain.
He nods, and turns around to see Ed standing by the door, peering in from the doorway, "Cool."
"An anonymous source dropped off these pictures at the GCPD today," Renee takes out a file she was holding under her armpit and drops it on my bed.
I open up the file, and my black-and-white pictures of Marsha's warehouse fall onto the bed.
"A warrant's been put out for Marsha's arrest, it's almost as if they were waiting for a piece of evidence to show up," Renee crosses her arms, "you know anything about this?"
I gesture to the pictures, "Yeah, I took those. I tracked down a warehouse owned by Marsha and found her stash of stolen goods-"
"We already figured that part out, but you can't tell me there isn't something bigger going on here," she counters.
"Is it connected in anyway to the Court of Owls? Do you know?" Crispus adds.
I nod, before explaining Falcone's plan to have Barbara replace Marsha in the Court of Owls.
"Of course," Renee snaps her fingers, "that's why the police are so eager to arrest Marsha, Falcone's got half of the force in his pocket."
"So now...I guess we wait for someone to catch her. Unless she's already made it out of the city it'd be impossible for her to get away now," I figure.
"I don't know. Marsha's escaped the law's arm before, she'll be tricky to catch," Crispus counters.
I lean back into my pillow, "Well, I'm staying out of this one for once. Even if I wanted to, I'm in no condition to work out in the field."
"Of course Natalie, you should rest," Renee nods, "how's your back holding up?"
"It's fine. By the time my concussion ends my back will be healed as well."
Just then, Renee's cell phone goes off. She turns around and answers it, quietly murmuring into the mic.
With Renee turned away, Crispus leans in closer, speaking in a hushed tone, "Say, Natalie. We really haven't had a chance to get to know each other outside of work. Maybe once you're better we could...I don't know, go out for coffee? Maybe one of those trendy places in Midtown," Crispus suggests.
I raise an eyebrow, "If I didn't know any better, I'd say that you were asking me on a date."
He smiles, and waves his hands in front of him, "Hey, you brought that up, not me. It's just coffee."
I chuckle, "Well, if it's just coffee...yeah, I wouldn't mind."
Renee hangs up her phone, "Unis caught Marsha's henchmen at the warehouse by the docks, they need us down at the station for questioning."
Crispus gets up, as he follows Renee out the door. The two of them turn around.
"Get well soon, Nat," Renee waves goodbye before the two of them file out.
As they leave, Ed slips back in, closing the door behind him. He presses his back against the door, blocking the exit, "Did I hear them mention something about your backside?"
"Yeah...I was injured on the job. Nothing major-"
"I shall examine it. Now," he insists, shuffling over to my bedside.
He stands expectantly at the foot of my bed, his hands folded in front of him.
I shake my head, "You don't need to examine my back Ed-"
"Yes, I do," he persists, "don't make me use force."
I sigh, before turning around and lifting up my shirt. Ed doesn't say anything, but when I turn around I find his hand in front of his mouth, his eyes wide in horror.
I yank my shirt back down, "Ed, it's nothing-"
"No, it's not nothing...and you just made me use a triple negative," he sighs in frustration.
Ed pivots around and starts walking out the door, "I will be back. As your caretaker, I must treat all of your ailments."
"Where are you going?" I ask.
He quickly turns back around, "I'm going to get you ointment."
I remain silent as he exits the room, closing the door behind him. I groan, before collapsing back into bed. Well, that could have gone better. At least he's not too mad, or at least I hope. Maybe he'll rub ointment into the grooves of my wounds as payback. I probably deserve it too.
Another sting of pain comes to my head. Okay, time to lie down…
From the fire escape, Oswald hobbles down to Trixie's apartment. With some effort, he lifts up her window and awkwardly steps through. A piece of paper crumpled in his hand, he walks up to her bedside. He gets down on his knees, and unfolds her small hand. He places the piece of paper into her hand, and closes it.
His hand lingers on hers, tightening his grip so much that his hand starts to shake.
"My love…"
Just then, a nimble figure leaps through the window, dressed in gray and white armour with a hooded cloak and goggles. The Talon draws out two small daggers and leaps over the bed toward Oswald.
Oswald fumbles out of the way just in time, and the Talon slams into the nearby wall. Trixie jolts awake as Oswald stumbles to the other side of the bed. The Talon jumps up onto the bed, poised to attack. Trixie yanks the bedsheets from out under him, tripping the Talon and causing him to fall. Oswald draws out his own knife and holds down the Talon's shoulder. As he raises his knife, the Talon kicks him in the stomach, knocking him back. Getting up, Trixie grabs the Talon and rips off his mask, revealing frazzled blonde hair.
"Marsha?!" Oswald gasps.
She cracks a wicked smirk, "Pretty nimble for an old lady, don't you think?"
Marsha elbows Trixie off of her and tackles Oswald, pulling him to the floor.
"Stay back girl, it's him I want," Marsha snaps at Trixie.
Oswald punches Marsha in the face, before pushing her off to the side. He grabs his knife and stands over her.
"I triumph over you, old hag. If anything, I deserve this victory," he spits.
She cackles, "Oh really? You deserve victory? That seems unlikely, considering how you treat Trixie."
Oswald stops, frozen in place. Marsha scowls, "A high back on a dress can hide wounds there, but that doesn't conceal the bruises on her wrists."
Trixie looks down at her wrists, where the rope that bound her together has left small red stripes. She noticed those?
Marsha drags one of her knives across the floor, "While my men are under code to never kill, a woman has to take more...desperate measures to get what she wants."
Oswald grits his teeth, and thrusts his knife downward. Marsha dodges, and slashes his arm. He reels back as blood starts streaming down his arm.
"You know what Carmine and Salvatore did when they found out I was with the both of them?" she asks, getting to her feet, "They didn't beat me, no, not right away. No...they agreed to share me, like a meal."
Oswald stammers as he tries to lift himself up, but Marsha slams the end of her knife into his head, knocking him back down.
"Ple-please…" he begs.
"Don't waste your breath," she kicks him in the stomach, and Oswald lets out a gurgling sound.
She turns to Trixie, who's sitting up on the bed. She turns one of her knives around and offers it to Trixie, "Would you like to do the honors?"
Trixie crosses her arms, her eyes becoming tiny slits, "If you want to kill him, go ahead. He'll die one way or another, but it's not going to be through me."
A range of emotions come flooding as Oswald takes in those words. She won't kill him, but at the same time...she's so...uncaring. How?
Marsha laughs, "Hmph, apparently she thinks you aren't worth the time. Some man you are."
Oswald leaps up at Marsha, catching her by surprise. He grabs her by the shoulder sleeve and pins her to the wall.
"...and therefore, since I cannot prove a lover, I am determined to prove a villain."
And with that, Oswald stabs her in the chest, wrenching his knife forward and piercing through an opening in the Talon armour. He immediately draws it back out, and stabs her again, blood sputtering onto his hands, shirt, and face. Again, and again, and again, he plunges and retracts his weapon, until Marsha lies on the floor, her entire stomach soaked in blood.
Turning to Trixie, he gets on his feet. Throwing the knife to the floor, he stumbles toward her, his head bowed, and his hair messily swaying in front of his face. He gets up onto her bed, and grabs Trixie's arm. She remains silent, motionless, her eyes set into a stare of defiance. Oswald's grip becomes shaky, before he collapses onto her, wrapping his other arm around her waist.
His voice almost giddy with laughter, his fingers dig into the fabric of her shirt, "Trixie...why? You could have killed me...and you didn't."
She grabs him, pulling him up until they're both sitting up, "During the museum exhibit, the Bookworm told me 'do not ask for whom the bell tolls, it tolls for thee'. She was going to kill both of us, not just you."
Oswald's excitement sinks, "Oh...so...it wasn't...for me?"
She looks down, avoiding his gaze, "I-...I don't know if I should answer that question."
Oswald's hand comes flying at her cheek, but she immediately catches it. His eyes alight with anger, his muscles tighten and his body becomes tense.
"No! You refused to do it because you love me...you need me!" he grabs her by the waist and pulls her into him.
From out under his chest, her arms curl up and wrap themselves around his shoulders, "I need you Ozzy."
His eyes narrow. Manipulative words mixed with sweet truth...how much more would he have to endure? If he can't beat the love out of her, what's left? Does he have to drink all of the poison to reach the honey? Never came poison from so sweet a place.
Oswald looks down at the knife on the floor. No...enough killing for today, for now he resigns himself to drowning in sweet sorrow.
Holding her close, Oswald kisses Trixie on the forehead before before turning to sob on her shoulder.
'66 Standalone Special: Seduction of the Innocent (Part 1)
In the bustling streets of Gotham City, famous heiress Barbara Kean and her good friend Natalie spend a fine Saturday afternoon bonding over brunch in an outdoor cafe.
"Gee willickers Barbara, these sandwiches sure are delicious!" Natalie comments, helping herself to the plate of bite-size sandwiches in front of them.
"I agree Natalie, but remember, eating yourself silly is no way to live. Eat until you're full, and always eat a balanced diet along with regular exercise," Barbara reminds her.
She looks and nods, "Awe, of course I know that!"
Just then, a group of women, young and old, appear, marching down the street, carrying picket signs and chanting.
Barbara and Natalie get up from their seats, "Stay back Natalie, young friend. I will investigate this disturbance."
She passes through the gate separating the cafe from the street and walks over to the women.
"Good afternoon, tell me, what's so important to cause such a fuss on this fine afternoon?" Barbara asks, stepping to the front of the picket line.
"We're protesting Batwoman," one of the ladies explains, and the others give a resounding, "yeah!"
"What sort of example is she setting for our daughters?" another woman asks, "Running around in a cape and tights fighting crime? Outrageous! Batwoman should either get married, or get a job!"
Barbara becomes silent as the protestors continue down the road, as Natalie walks up to her.
"Gee Barbara, what do you think of that?" she asks, putting her hands on her hips.
"Those women were speaking in good faith. After all, it's our responsibility as fellow citizens to criticize aspects of our society that we find dubious."
Natalie sighs, "Gosh, I never thought of it that way."
Just then, a waiter from the cafe approaches Barbara and Natalie, carrying a black rotary phone on a silver tray, "Telephone call for Ms. Barbara Kean."
"Thank you," she smiles, before taking the phone.
Picking it up, she holds it to her ear, "Hello? Mhm...ah, yes...of course, we'll be right there."
She hangs up, and after she tips the waiter a nickel, he walks away.
"Natalie, Veronica just picked up a call from the Batphone. Commissioner Gordon wants Batwoman and the Trickstress to meet him in his office right this second!" Barbara informs her.
She nods, "Right!"
Moments later, Batwoman and the Trickstress arrive at Commissioner Gordon's office.
"Thank goodness you've arrived Dynamic Duo!" Commissioner Gordon greets, standing next to Chief O'Hara.
"Who is it this time Commissioner? The Joker? Penguin? Riddler?" Batwoman asks with a rushed urgency.
He shakes his head, as Chief O'Hara lowers his cap, "No, Dynamic Duo, I-...I'm afraid you two are going to have to stand trial. HUAC has called you for official hearings, to be aired live on national television. They question your...ethics, the morals you present, as well as the legality of your crime fighting."
The Trickstress turns to Batwoman, "Uhm...say Batwoman, what's a HUAC?"
"Trickstress, it's your duty as a youth to be keeping up with current events," she scolds her partner, "HUAC stands for House Un-American Activities Committee. They're a strict investigative organization that's questioned all sorts of figures from janitors to Hollywood stars."
"Gosh Batwoman, that doesn't mean we're criminals, right?" she asks.
Batwoman shakes her head, "No, but it means that we must be on our best behavior in these next few days before the hearing. While we must always be model citizens, these next few days we must be extremely cautious…"
Walking outside the police precinct, Batwoman and the Trickstress are approaching the Batmobile when a group of young girls run up to them.
"Batwoman! Batwoman!" the small girls surround the Dynamic Duo, carrying Batwoman action figures and lunchboxes.
"Holy franchise Batwoman! Who knew we had merchandise."
Batwoman laughs as she shakes hands with the children, "Yes, the Kean Foods and Goods Association has been kind enough to produce a wonderful line of products, and all proceeds go to charity. Now children, shouldn't you all be in school?"
"It's a Saturday Batwoman, there's no school!" one of the children informs her.
"When I grow up, I want to be just like you, Batwoman," another chimes in.
"Well, what a bunch of thoughtful children you are," she smiles, shaking hands and giving hugs to the children.
Out of the corner of her eye, the Trickstress spots a man behind a parked car taking pictures of the Dynamic Duo.
"Batwoman, look! There's a man taking pictures of us!"
Just as Batwoman turns around, the man puts down his camera, gets into the parked car and drives off.
"That man obviously wasn't a casual street photographer. What could this mean?" the Trickstress asks aloud.
"Whatever it means, we must remain vigilant, and on our guard," Batwoman concludes.
Back at the Batcave, Batwoman does routine repairs on the Batmobile while the Trickstress minds the Batphone, sitting on a small wooden desk next to the Batcomputer.
"Hmph, no calls from Commissioner Gordon since the hearings were announced," she observes, dragging her finger over the phone's receiver.
"The police are being cautious about associating with us right now. Let's just hope that our friendly neighborhood police force can handle those dastardly criminals prowling the fair streets of Gotham City," Batwoman replies as she opens up the hood of the Batmobile.
Just then, the Batphone rings, and the Trickstress is quick to answer it.
"This is the Batphone, Trickstress speaking."
After several hazy, quacking laughs, a familiar voice answers, "Well, just the person I was looking to talk to."
The Trickstress gasps, and whips around to make sure Batwoman's attention is still elsewhere. She moves herself away from Batwoman, and speaks in a shouted whisper.
"The Penguin, you frivolous, finicky, finch! How did you get access to the number of the Batphone?!"
"Don't you worry your head about that, my beautiful blossom. I've just been released from Blackgate prison on good behavior, what better occasion to celebrate with you my peach," the Penguin's sings his charismatic chirp.
"Oswald! How dare you suggest such a thing, especially considering the predicament I'm under at this time," she snaps at him.
He chuckles, "Fair flower, don't be so tense. When things are at their worst, you will know who your true allies are in this grand game of hero and villain."
"Trickstress, who's that on the Batphone?" Batwoman asks.
Hanging up, the Trickstress glances around a couple of times before smiling and striking a careless pose, "Wrong number."
Batwoman does a double-take, before turning back around to work on the Batmobile, "The Penguin was just released from Blackgate Penitentiary...that couldn't have been him on the Batphone, could it?"
A surprised look flashes across the Trickstress' face, "Why...no, no of course not-"
Batwoman whips around, "Trickstress, lying will not help your case, it never does."
She sighs, "...fine...yes, that was the Penguin on the phone. Gosh Batwoman, you don't have to be so harsh."
"It's my responsibility as your older friend to help guide you to maturity, and keep you on a proper path. Now, let's hope that our phones have not been tapped by government spies, as persons of special interest we're under a high level of scrutiny."
How will the Dynamic Duo's hearing with HUAC go? Will Batwoman and the Trickstress escape the baffling blunders of bureaucracy? Find out, next time, same Bat Time, same Bat Channel!
Author's Note: I was going to do a Tales from the Arkhamverse, but after these past few chapters, I need something lighter...let's talk about McCarthyism
Guest: Thanks, Edward taking care of Natalie is cute, isn't it? And while I can't have Oswald and Ed meet in person, I can have Oswald get upset over him getting more attention ;)
Lengley21: I think that Ed does bad things with good intentions, at least in the beginning (after that Season 2 preview, all bets are off). With Oswald, I don't think he can genuinely do something nice unless something's in it for him as well (or at the very least, he hasn't tried). Yeah, my birthday was on the 10th, but thanks nonetheless :)
Thanks! :)