(To all the wonderful people out there in land who have supported me and given me such fantastic reviews, I wanted to say thanks so much! You guys freaking rock! D This is the final chapter of this story, and it's been an awesome journey, and I'm glad there's been a lot of you out there who could share it with me Without further adu…)
Edward groaned blinking groggily. His vision blurred and his eyes squinted against the harsh light, "Where am I?" he murmured to himself.
His head still pounded from the Scarecrow's toxins and his shoulder hurt from where the tranquilizer dart had penetrated. He reached up absently to rub his sore shoulder, and as the fog started to clear, he realized he was in a hospital bed with a saline IV hooked into his hand.
He wasn't in Arkham's infirmary, and he wasn't cuffed to the hospital bed, so Edward gathered he hadn't been implicated in any of the Scarecrow's crimes. His eyes searched the room coming to rest on his hospital chart. He gave the chart a once over frowning at the familiar symptoms he'd researched previously. He snorted slightly miffed by the fact Jonathan had, in his mind, blown this whole situation out of proportion, "See Eddie, this is what you get for trying to be fair," he grumbled to himself as he pulled the IV carefully out of his hand.
Edward found his clothes in a drawstring bag that was held in a little notched in compartment at the foot of his hospital bed. As Edward finished dressing, the ward's nurse came in to check on him. Her jaw dropped slightly in surprise before she stated, "Mr. Nygma? Where are you going?" she asked quizzically.
Edward placed his bowler on top of his head and gave the girl a smirk, "Where 'am' I going... Now that is a philosophical question asked across the span of time and nations. I might be better prepared to tell you where I've been, but alas my dear, I won't keep you from your matronly duties," he responded turning to leave the confines of the small hospital room with the young nurse staring after him too perplexed by his answer to reply further.
The hospital paperwork alone had taken over an hour, being brought to the police station directly following his release from the hospital to make a statement took twice as long, and standing on the curb for nearly twenty-five minutes while having to wait on a cab afterwards, had set Edward's agitation level to the max. He had arrived at his town house at nearly 5AM to trudge up his steps, walk down his hallway, and sigh in relief as he finally opened his front door. The night's events had made him weary, and reaching the last legs of his homeward destination solidified these feelings.
Edward frowned in disapproval; the room still had the residual smell of the Scarecrow's fear gas leaving the room smelling like a flea bomb had been set off. He made his way to the balcony to open the doors up and air the place out.
A chill ran up his spine as the familiar gravely voice of Batman broke the silence, "I've been waiting for you; we need to have a talk."
Edward spun on his heels all of the previous exhaustion disappearing with the arrival of his new visitor. He responded smugly, "Of course, I gather you've come to thank me for aiding you in the capture of the Scarecrow," Edward finished speaking, and reached over to his left to flip the light switch on and illuminate the living room in a soft comfortable glow.
His eyes grew wide as saucers and his cocky smile dropped like a lead weight when he saw the thick wooden paddle in Batman's hand.
Batman didn't miss a beat replying quickly, "I didn't come to thank you Edward; I came to set you back on the right course again."
Edward was shocked as he whined, "What do you mean!? I've been on the right course! You're going to… to spank me for helping you? You should be commending me, not punishing me!"
Batman responded as he strode towards Edward, "I'm not punishing you for helping me Edward," as Batman moved closer Edward shrank against the wall pitifully. He was like a deer caught in headlights; his brain said run, but his feet became landlocked as Batman approached. By the time his wits were about him, it was too late to run. Batman grabbed him by the bicep and began leading him towards his couch as he continued explaining, "I'm punishing you because you're falling back into bad habits."
Edward pulled and fought to escape the man's iron grip, but there wasn't anything he could do to get away. He pleaded, "But… but… I haven't broken any laws! I've been going to my parole officer, and Arkham's dimwitted psychiatrists! What more do you want?"
Batman had reached the couch and sat down pulling Edward with him over his knees as he responded, "Haven't broken any laws eh? What about all of the architectural plans printed out over by your computer? Unless you got a job with the city recently as a contractor, I doubt you are supposed to or allowed to have those. While you were gone, I also researched your computer and tracked your IP address to a backdoor access program for the security system used at the 1st National bank. Shall I continue?"
Edward frowned trembling nervously and looking worriedly over his shoulder as Batman read off his crimes. When Batman had finished, he gave Edward a disapproving glare, and Edward couldn't help but drop his eyes in embarrassment as he shook his head slowly croaking out a small, "No."
Batman reassured that Edward knew he was in the wrong laid the paddle down by his side and began the task of adjusting the Riddler so his legs were trapped in between his own to keep Edward from kicking him and trying to squirm away.
Once Batman started to shift Edward into place, Edward began to struggle anew terrified at the prospect of getting a lesson on the other end of that thick wooden paddle to his now very vulnerable rear. He shouted out in dismay, "No! No! Wait! Don't! Please!"
Batman maneuvered around Edward's struggles and secured him easily as he picked up the paddle back up and prepared to begin Edward's punishment.
Edward watched Batman pick up the paddle and squiggled helplessly trying to take his ass out of the target range of the soon to be weapon, but he didn't budge an inch. He now pleaded, "You're right Batman! Okay? I was wrong to do those things, and I realize how wrong it was. Can't we just talk about this?"
Batman paused momentarily thinking the situation over. He could chose not to continue to spank the Riddler, and Edward would likely behave for awhile, but it wouldn't last. No, the Riddler needed to be shown that his actions would have consequences, and Batman would not let him slide down that slippery slope especially since Edward had come so far in his attempt to reform. And if a spanking would help keep him on the straight and narrow, then a spanking he would receive.
Edward watched Batman contemplate for a moment before pulling Edward's hip into his to keep him in place as he raised the paddle into the air. He was going to be spanked, and that was the way it was. It didn't matter that he had pleaded, kicked, and struggled. This was going to happen, and he was powerless to stop it. This little revelation was the straw that broke the camel's back as tears pooled quickly and spilled just as fast down his cheeks.
His body went rigid in anticipation, and within moments he felt the fire of the stinging swat etch across his ass as he bucked and yelped in response. He was openly sobbing by the fifth blow not just because it hurt, but because he was humiliated to be in such a position again. He prayed that Batman might take it easier on him, but Batman already knew what the Riddler could take, and he wasn't stopping any time soon. Batman planned to drive home the point that this behavior wouldn't be overlooked and although Edward hadn't committed a crime, intent and motivation to was there ten fold.
After the tenth swat had landed, Edward realized that Batman wasn't going to hold back any. He slumped over in defeat burying his face into the couch cushion to sob miserably.
Batman peppered Edward's ass with swat after swat, and when he was sure he would have the Riddler's undivided attention he stopped to ask him, "You know why I'm doing this don't you?"
Edward almost hated the question as much as the answer. He was feeling sorry for himself, and worse, he knew he deserved what he was getting. He'd let his boredom lead him once more into making bad decisions that Batman had decided to take measures to help correct. He'd brought this on himself, but it didn't make it any easier to accept. Edward continued to sob into the cushion hoping that if he ignored the question it would just go away.
It didn't go away, and was instead accompanied with another two hard swats and Batman's demanding growl, "Answer me Edward."
Edward yelped cringing at how sore his bottom had become. It was going to be a couple days before his ass wouldn't be smarting every time he went to sit down. He slowly raised up onto his elbows sucking in short breaths as he responded, "Be… because I print… printed out those plans and… and left you riddles…" he trailed off losing his voice to tears and hitching whimpers.
Batman frowned; he hated having to continue, but they weren't done yet; Edward would have to get the whole picture if this punishment was going to help him. He raised the paddle and brought it down again. This time instead of rapid hard swats, they were methodical lighter ones to drive his point home. Batman spoke as he swatted, "Yes, the punishment for your behavior is the reasoning behind you needing this spanking, but it's not the reason I'm giving it to you."
Edward cried in frustration his mind screaming, 'Then why!?' And as if hearing him, Batman continued, "I'm doing this because I think it can help you become a better person. You can learn to control yourself, and with the proper motivation stay on track."
"Proper motivation! Is that what this is now?" Edward blubbered almost incoherently.
Batman replied, "Yes. You have shown me that you can stay out of trouble; you just need to find better outlets for your boredom."
Edward whined, "I… I can't help it! I know I can't!"
Batman came down with a half dozen quick harder swats, "Yes; you can. I'm going to make sure that you do."
Edward wanted desperately for Batman to stop as he pleaded, "Okay! Okay! I'll do my best! Please stop!"
To Edward's surprise Batman did stop and let Edward go. The Riddler immediately flopped on the ground reaching back to try and sooth his aching bottom as he owed his discomfort. After a long moment of getting himself under control, Edward peered back up at Batman with a frown and eyebrows etched in worry as he asked, "Can't you think of a more positive less painful solution to help me? Because… this just isn't fair!"
Batman chided, "Edward…"
Edward cut him off slightly indignant, "I mean, you don't spank any of the other villains; trust me, I observed them all when I was in Arkham. And…"
"EDWARD!" Batman raised his booming voice silencing the Riddler immediately. He continued, "None of that matters; what does matter is what works for you, and like it or not; I know this does, so that's what you're going to get."
Edward's frown turned into an angry pout as he muttered, "Figures; I always get the raw end of the stick… no pun intended."
Batman shook his head as he stood lending his hand down to help Edward stand. Edward took the helping hand and gingerly rose to his feet. His ass was going to need some serious babying. He looked down at the floor as he said, "Well, you know, if you've got such a vested interest in my future as an upstanding citizen, you could… you know, help me curb some of that ever encroaching boredom by giving me something to look forward to."
Batman was sure he didn't like where this was going, but asked anyway, "Like what?"
Edward gave him a cautious glance before stating, "Like… I don't know… a game of chess?"
Batman opened him mouth to respond, and before he could, Edward interjected, "Just one game a week! You know… a little positive reinforcement?" Edward couldn't help the small smile that crept across his face at the fact that Batman didn't automatically say no.
Batman contemplated the request, and decided that one game of chess, once a week, couldn't hurt especially if it kept Edward out of trouble. Besides, it would let him keep a close eye on him as well. Batman nodded, "Alright Edward. I think I can manage that."
Edward's face brightened, "Really? You and me… hanging out once a week? How marvelous! Won't I just be the talk of the town," he joked excitedly.
Batman interjected before Edward got carried away, "Just one game. No endless questions or riddles. If you start to annoy me, I'll leave. Understood?"
Edward frowned momentarily, but it didn't stay for long as he was too happy getting what he'd wanted all along, a worthy opponent. He answered Batman, "I'll do my best not to displease you."
Batman nodded, "Then I think we're done here," he still had the paddle in his hand; he glanced down at it and tossed it to the Riddler. The Riddler caught it absently and frowned in disgust. Batman smirked as he said, "You can keep hold of that, and put it somewhere you can see it, so whenever you start to get… bored… you can look at it and remember to find something more constructive to do with your time." Batman then turned heading out onto the balcony and shot his grapple gun to hook onto the building across the way before soaring off into the dawn.
Edward was too stunned to say anything but watch him go. And once he had gone, his eyes returned warily to the paddle in his hand, and as if on cue, his ass throbbed as a reminder of what had just transpired. Edward wanted to chuck the nasty implement out the window and past the balcony, but some small part of him wondered if Batman was serious about holding onto it. He didn't plan to test the theory as he sighed and shoved it into the coffee table's drawer.
He was extremely worn out now and oddly relieved. He got himself ready for bed carefully avoiding tender areas, and as the sun rose in the sky, he lie on his stomach a smile creeping onto his lips at the thought of upcoming chess games with Batman dominated his thoughts.