Kristen yawned as she came back up the stairs after putting Rubix to bed. He had continued to be full of questions all evening. Where did the water go when it went down the drain? Did animals take baths? Why? Why did the prince need a shoe to recognize Cinderella? How early would he get to see his dad tomorrow? … Finally, she had gotten him to stop asking questions for tonight and go to sleep.
She shook her head as she emerged from the trapdoor. "Sorry that took awhile," she said. "He's going through his inquisitive phase."
"Please, have you met his father? It's not a phase." Deidre said laughing quietly as Kristen closed the trapdoor. She was changed into her pajamas which consisted of more skin than material. A loose tank top and a pair of shorts that barely covered her ass. She approached Kristen and put her arms around her waist. "You're still so tense. Relax … Everything's going to be fine." She said kissing her softly.
Kristen leaned into Deidre's kiss for a moment, comforted by her familiar touch, before she sighed and pulled away slightly. "I know, it's just … I wish he were home already, and we still don't even know who did this."
"We'll figure it out. He'll be caught." Deidre said though she sounded unsure of it. "Come on." She said taking her hands and leading her to the bed. "We should get some sleep."
"You're right," Kristen said, smiling tiredly, following her to bed. She yawned. "When did you get to be the sensible one?"
"When our boyfriend went missing and we were left to take care of his child?" She asked more than said as she climbed into bed.
"True," Kristen said, climbing into bed with her and pulling the covers up over them. "Thanks for keeping me sane through all of this."
"GONNA SEE DADA! GONNA SEE DADA!" Rubix was back to chanting again the entire ride to the hospital.
"Rubix … Once we get out of the car, you're going to have to be quiet okay?" Deidre said turning in her seat to look at him. "Your dada is probably tired, so you're going to have to be quiet, and be very gentle."
"Like with Puzzoos?" Rubix asked.
"Yes, like with Puzzles." Deidre said nodding.
Kristen couldn't help noticing how good Deidre was getting at this parenting thing. Even if her definition of vegetables was a little faulty. "We're almost there," she said, as they pulled into the hospital parking lot.
"DADA!" Rubix yelled craning his neck trying to see outside the car window.
"He's in that big building," Kristen said, pulling into a parking space. "You'll have to be quiet once we go in, like Deidre said. There's other people in there who are hurt or sick, and we need to be careful not to bother them." She brought the car to a stop and got out, going to get Rubix out of his carseat in the back.
"Okay. Shhhhhhh." He said with his finger to his mouth, telling her to be quiet too. He held onto Kristen's neck as she carried him into the large building. They walked to an elevator and went up to the second floor before going down to Ed's room.
Kristen tapped lightly at the door, before pushing it open slightly. "Edward," she said quietly, not wanting to disturb him if he was still sleeping. "Are you awake?"
Edward was tired, it was early but he looked towards the door still unable to see them past the curtain. "Mhmm." He said tiredly.
Kristen walked in, carrying Rubix, Deidre following behind them and going to push back the curtain as they approached the bed.
"Hey, there," Deidre said. "How are you holding up?"
"Dada!" Rubix said a bit loudly before he paused and looked at his dad. "Shhhh!" He said with his finger against his mouth.
Edward smiled up at them as they came in. "Yes, shhh." Edward said, without the finger. "I'm fine … Just tired. Ready to go home but they seem to think I need to stay another night."
"I don't know," Kristen sighed, as Rubix tried to wiggle out of her arms to get to Edward. "At this point, I think you might be able to rest better at home." She looked down at Rubix as they sat down at Edward's bedside. "Remember," she cautioned him. "Be gentle, like with Puzzles."
Rubix knelt on the edge of the bed next to his dad, careful not to touch him. "Dada boo boo?" He asked pointing at the bandages on Edward's fingers.
"Yeah, I got a boo boo." He said, gently pulling Rubix into a hug.
Kristen leaned in and kissed Edward on the cheek. "But you look like you're doing much better already," she said, relieved. Even as exhausted as he still looked, he seemed to be in significantly better shape than yesterday.
"I've seen you look better, though," Deidre said.
"Yeah, I'd like to say I've been worse but …" He said carefully ruffling Rubix's hair.
"But you're safe now," Kristen said firmly.
"Yeah," Deidre said, touching Edward's arm playfully. "If anyone else wants to get to you, they'll have to go through us."
"Yeah dada! Through us!" He said holding his hands up as if he were flexing. Edward laughed and poked him in the belly making him deflate and laugh, lying on the bed next to him and making Edward groan when he hit his ribs accidentally.
"Careful there, Rubix," Kristen said, gently moving Rubix away from Edward's ribs. "Remember, you have to be gentle with Daddy today."
"Sowwy dada!" He said gently leaning forward and kissing his cheek.
"It's okay." Edward said. "Hey Deidre. Why don't you take Rubix down to the cafeteria … I hear they have pumpkin pie cups with whipped cream."
"PUNKIN!" Rubix yelled and bounced on the bed making Edward groan again. "Sowwy dada!" He said stilling himself but turning towards Deidre. "Punkin? Pease?" He asked.
"Alright, alright," Deidre laughed, taking Rubix's hand. "Since you said please."
"Speaking of food…" Kristen said, as Rubix and Deidre headed out. "I snuck something in for you." She pulled out a bag of homemade pastries from the little coffee shop they liked. "I think the lady undercharged me. She said she hopes you're feeling better soon."
"W-why?" Edward asked confused. "Did you tell her about me?" He asked, not understanding why some woman would care if he was okay or not.
"Apparently, they recognize their regular customers," she said with a shrug. "I mentioned you were in the hospital, and I guess she was concerned."
"Oh," he said, realizing what bakery she was talking about. "Well, I'll be sure to thank her the next time I'm in there." He said.
"Has Jim come by to ask about what happened?" she asked quietly.
"This morning." He said. "He left about an hour ago. I didn't tell him anything." He said quietly, knowing she would question him on why. "Said I don't remember."
Kristen frowned. "But … do you remember?" Why would Edward keep anything back from Jim if it might help?
"Not really no." He said shaking his head but looked up at her, his hand moving to take hers. "But I have a riddle for you, Kristen …" He said. "One that's been bothering me since I woke up this morning."
"And … what riddle might that be?" Kristen asked uneasily.
"How did I know it was the blue lever?" Edward asked, his eyes never leaving hers.
Kristen stared back at him. "I … I don't know." She hadn't thought to ask at the time. She'd been too concerned with getting him out of there. "I just … Assumed there was some kind of logic behind it that you figured out really quickly. Is … is that not what happened?"
"No …." Edward said. "There was no indication which switch to pull." He said, wondering if she'd make the same conclusion he did.
"You … had no indication," Kristen repeated. "So you just knew subconsciously somehow?" She was quiet for a moment. "And … you have a massive gap in your memory," she added. She stared back at him. "Edward," she said very quietly. "You don't think … I mean, you're not telling me that …"
"Who do you know that's obsessed with puzzles, and constantly testing people's intelligence?" He asked, letting go of her hand. "I don't know why … Or how … But …. I think I did it."
"But …" Kristen took a deep breath, shaking her head. "That's … They're just hallucinations, aren't they? I mean, you don't really think … You don't …" Kristen couldn't finish the thought. It was too terrifying.
"I don't know what I think anymore …" He said quietly and groaned as he shifted onto his side. "I don't know what to do anymore." He said. "I figured it was me when I looked back and thought about the tests. It was for both me and you … Remember what the tape said? "Here's the riddle. Do you win or lose?" The riddle wasn't the previous message at all like I had assumed, the riddle was simply that. Do I win, or lose?" He said staring at the wall in front of him. "Jim told me there was a key on the floor, right in the middle of the room, in front of where I had woken up. It was covered in ice so I couldn't see it … Had I lost … Even just once … And not been so focused on solving that damn puzzle … I would have seen it once the water melted the ice. The water wouldn't have even touched my skin, had I seen it." His voice was barely above a whisper, and he sounded terrified. If he was capable of this without his knowledge … If he did this out of his control … What else would he do?
Kristen took hold of Edward's hand, though her own was shaking. This was so far beyond anything she knew how to deal with. It felt like every time things started to settle down from one crisis, everything just got crazier. This wasn't Edward's fault. He hadn't signed on for this any more than she had. But how were they going to continue to keep Rubix safe, not to mention themselves and Deidre, if something like this was possible? She was scared. And she could see in Edward's eyes that he was scared too.
"I think," she said quietly, looking back at him. "That we need to consider getting help."
Edward laughed almost bitterly. "Kristen, if we tell anyone that this was me they'd have me locked up in Arkham … They'd take Rubix away … Who knows how much farther they would take that. What if they look into other things I 'could' have done … Connect me to Daugherty, or my father … I'm sure he's been reported missing by now …" He pulled his hand out of hers and rubbed his hands over his face. He didn't know what to do. "I'm sure Jim already has his suspicions after he saw Mr. Penguin at my apartment."
"There has to be something we can do, someone who can help us figure this out, without that happening," Kristen insisted. "Maybe … Maybe Lee could help." Though she was reluctant to tell even her. Because if she figured out about Ed's father or Daugherty … she was too close to Jim. Confidentiality would only go so far.
"I don't want Lee involved in this." He said, not looking at her. "I … I'll go for help … Let them lock me up. What ever they find ... " He paused, he'd be locked up for life. "I'll transfer guardianship of Rubix to Ben and Marian … And …" He paused, unable to look at her, his eyes watering. "I want you and Deidre to stay as far away from me as possible …"
"No!" Kristen said fiercely, taking Edward's hand in hers again, tears springing to her eyes. "That is completely out of the question. This isn't your fault, Edward. We need to find someone who will help you, not lock you away and make things worse! You would never hurt Rubix, you know that. And Deidre and I are adults; we can look out for ourselves. I'm not going to stay away from you. That's just not going to happen."
"Kristen … I promised you before that I would never hurt you again. And I did. I promised you I'd never scare you again. And I did. I promised you that I would never confine you again …. And I did." He said. "It's the only promise I ever made to you, and I broke that." He said tears starting to stream down his cheeks as he spoke. "I didn't want to hurt you … And I don't want to … I don't want to risk it. If I ever did anything to you I …." He said stopping as he couldn't even fathom what he would do. "Or Rubix … You say I'd never hurt him, but I never thought I'd do something like this either! Who's to say I don't have another black out? Hmm? Wake up and find all three of you dead? I wouldn't be able to live with myself. Out of my control or not ..."
"That's not going to happen," Kristen insisted, clinging to Edward's hand tighter. "That … That doesn't seem to be how this … other you operates, anyway. There has to be a better way that doesn't involve ruining the rest of your life like this!"
"In comparison to ruining yours … And Deidre's … And possibly Rubix's … You all deserve better than this. How are we going to raise Rubix like this? When I could snap at any moment? I don't even know what this is. You say 'other me' like I'm a different person. It is me ..."
"There has to be a better way," Kristen insisted. "Maybe it's a part of you, but this isn't your fault! You deserve better too! Deidre and I deserve to decide for ourselves what's best for us! And Rubix deserves to have his father!" She shook her head. "Just … Don't do anything rash and permanent. We can figure out another way to get help for you without just giving up and throwing everything away!"
Edward moved onto his back again, his head back against the pillow. "I'm just …" He said using his wrist to dry the tears off of his face despite the fact that he was still crying. "I'm scared …" He said, unable to describe exactly how he felt about all this.
"I know," Kristen said, hugging him gently, careful to avoid bumping his ribs. She was terrified … And that was just from her end of the situation. She couldn't even imagine what Edward must be going through. She ran her fingers lightly through his hair. "But we're going to find a way to make this okay. It's … it's going to be alright."
Edward hugged her, not really caring if he hurt his ribs. He was grateful for her support, even if he just wanted to push her away … Perhaps not wanted but … It would be best. But at this moment he found himself too selfish to push her away. "Thank you." He said quietly.
"Dada cwying?" Edward sniffed as he looked up to see Deidre coming into the room with Rubix who was pointing at him with his plastic spoon, the half eaten cup of pumpkin pie filling in Deidre's hand.
"Should we come back in a bit?" Deidre asked. She knew they'd be happy to see each other, but they'd seen each other yesterday … Why suddenly the waterworks?
Kristen dried her tears. "It's … It's okay," she said, forcing a smile. "We … were just kind of having a moment." She glanced pointedly down at Rubix. "We'll explain later."
"Okay." Deidre said as she brought Rubix back over to the bed and handed him to Kristen, placing the pumpkin pie cup on the table next to the bed.
"Dada taste?" He asked, aiming the spoon which still had a bit of pumpkin pie filling on it towards Edward's face. Edward took it in his mouth, despite the little bit of toddler drool on it.
"Yummy." Edward said. "Thank you bud." He said playfully pinching his side. "Much better than the mushy potatoes they gave me." He said looking at his plate which was still on the tray next to him. He took some onto a fork and held it towards Rubix. "Wanna try?" He asked.
"No." Rubix said shaking his head and turning away from him.
"No?" Edward asked, "You sure?" He asked pushing it closer to his mouth and Rubix put his arm over his face, leaning back in Kristen's arms dramatically.
"Noooooo." He said as Edward pulled the fork back away from him with a smile on his face. "Opital food ucky!"
"Yeah, you got that right. Opital food ucky!" He said with a laugh, putting the fork back on the plate.
"Smart kid," Kristen agreed, smiling a little at Rubix, though she was still deeply troubled by everything Edward had said.
Kristen and Deidre stayed until later afternoon, allowing Rubix to, carefully, play with his father, and they all talked about things that weren't really important. Edward got to know Deidre better, and vice versa, and just before dinner time they decided it was time to go home and have dinner.
Edward took Kristen's hand in his as they all said their good byes. "Promise me one thing." Edward said seriously. "Tomorrow we're ordering pizza …" He said with a slight chuckle.
"Pizza yaaaaa!" Rubix shrieked, jumping in Deidre's arms. "No chovies!" He said making a yucky face.
Kristen laughed. "I promise," she said. "With whatever you want on it." She kissed him, then looked him seriously in the eyes and said, "Take care and get some rest. Tomorrow, we're getting you out of here."
"Even if it's a break out?" He asked. "Promise me!" He said pointing at her, his eyebrows raised.
"Cross my heart," Kristen said solemnly. "Tomorrow, we take you out of here, doctor's orders or not."
"We'll bust you out, don't worry," Deidre said with a grin. "If they try to stop us, it'll just make things interesting."
"See you tomorrow." He said kissing Kristen's hand and looking up at her. "Thank you." He said, knowing she would know what he was talking about.
"Any time," Kristen said quietly. She still didn't know how, but they were going to get through this together somehow. She had never been more determined about anything.