Authors Note: Welcome to the next chapter in the series, I hope you enjoy it, and leave a review if you have comments!

Noreen Donaldson had been the Valentine's Day victim. She was stabbed seven times in the torso, and left bleeding to death on her kitchen tiles. Edward was least of all surprised when her birthday remained unannounced to the public. Clearly the police got what they wanted from him, and decided to release very little else to the media.

Edward hadn't gone back to therapy for a few weeks, but continued to take his medication. The Spanish nurse came by with her medicine cart that morning, and Edward greeted her with a smile. "Good morning Roberta."

The nurse smiled a little. "If it isn't my favourite patient." She picked up the plastic cup of water in one hand and the pill cup in the other. "Here's your medicine sweet pea."

Edward took the pills into his mouth before chugging the water back. "Thank you very much. I hope Jervis doesn't give you a hard time today. I heard he got out of hand yesterday morning." Edward said, handing the empty cups back to her through his bars.

She shrugged. "It's part of the job, Mr. Nigma. Have a good day sweetheart." She smiled, heading on by.

"Good day ma'am." He nodded watching her head by.

He detested the pet names, but felt it might be a good idea to warm up to the staff at Arkham; it might get him out of there much faster. Edward was betting on it at least.

Roberta took a bit to warm up to him, but now she was calling him 'sweet pea' and 'sweetheart' and anything else you could imagine being sweet. She even mentioned tidbits of her life to him, which was beginning to be a trend. Dr. Quinzel had mentioned her boyfriend to him once already.

Edward was beginning to secretly enjoy getting little piece of information out of them. It served no purpose, but sated his curiosity about them. For Edward, everything was a riddle that needed to be solved, even the people around him were riddles.

Heading to the cafeteria for his breakfast he sat down after grabbing his less than delicious food. Forcing it down he noticed in the corner of the room Jervis was causing a commotion. Jervis seemed to think one of the other patients knew where Alice was. "Oh wonderful..." Edward said under his breath as he watched the scene while he ate.

Jervis had pushed the other man too far, and was now being pinned to the table. Two guards rushed over pulling them apart. Edward remembered when his temper was that bad. His medication gave him better clarity, making him decide which fights were truly worth partaking in.

"Tetch! This is the last time! You're going straight to solitary." Edward froze at the words, immediately feeling terrible for Jervis.

Jervis wailed as they dragged him off down the hallway. It was injustice. It was cruel. It was the only thing the guards had to use against the patients to make them cooperate. Edward gripped his fork tightly, but willed himself to remain calm. He had to remain calm or he'd be joining Jervis.

Heading to the nurses' station he asked for another cigarette before heading to the smoking room. Jerry lit his smoke, and he stood by the window looking out at the polluted sky. Birds flew by several dozen feet high. He sometimes wished he could just fly away; he was paying for his sins.

"Don't think too hard, you might hurt yourself." Harvey's gruff voice said as he stood next to him at the window.

Edward smiled thinly. "Hello Harvey."

"I'm really surprised you're still here Nigma." He stated looking over at him.

"Why is that? Do I seem too sane?" He raised a brow.

"You've gotten better, and you're helping with a case. I'd say that warrants a 'get out of jail free' card." Harvey took a drag from his smoke.

"Yes, I'd very much like that. With my luck, however, I know things like that don't happen so easily." Edward inhaled the toxic fumes of his cigarette; they weren't even his brand of smokes.

"Chin up, Edward." Harvey said sitting down in one of the chairs by the window.

Edward thought back to his life before the Asylum. Back when he was building the death traps he was sure he was giving his former employees exactly what they deserved. Edward was sure by taking down Dr. Sparrows he was doing the world a favour. Maybe the second part was true, but what had Will, Kate or Kevin done to deserve death? What had Eliza done to deserve mental scars for the rest of her life? Edward couldn't answer that. He couldn't answer that because there was no answer, he was wrong.

It was the first time in a while he felt actual guilt for something he had done. Edward was sure he'd never feel the guilt. Edward inhaled the last breath out of his smoke before butting it out in the ashtray on the table. Exhaling through his nose he wondered if he even deserved to get out, but quickly pushed the thoughts away; of course he deserved out. He did what he did back then for a reason, and he wouldn't let it tear him apart. He had to simply let it go.

He headed out of the room without another word, and decided to waste the day for once just relaxing in his cell with his book on scientific theses from around the world. It was time to just relax and not think about being guilty. If he admitted he was wrong in his mind, that was bad, but it was much worse admitting it in voice. He'd pretend it didn't happen.

Dr. Quinzel approached his cell by mid afternoon. "Edward, I would like to talk to you in my office, is that alright?"

Edward knew the question was a courtesy, but he had very little choice in the matter in all reality. Nodding he stood up heading out with her. What's on your mind doctor?" He asked walking beside her casually.

"Your information helped the police significantly, and you're being asked to help out further." Dr. Quinzel told him sounding slightly excited.

Edward looked at her, "I'd be glad to help."

Dr. Quinzel led him inside her office and sat him down on the other side of her desk. Edward noticed Commissioner Gordon standing to the right of her desk. Edward glanced at him and nodded his hello. Gordon nodded back before setting a file before him. "Edward, this is the information we've gathered on the Holiday Killer. We're hoping you'd be willing to help us."

Edward looked at the outside of the file before looking up at Commissioner Gordon, "Suddenly people are believing me I see." He stated.

"Generally we don't take the word of patients or inmates, but we've noticed your abilities. Would you be willing to help us? It wouldn't be all for nothing." Gordon looked at him calmly.

Edward liked the last part, but wasn't sure what he'd get out of it. "Commissioner, I have very little use for money in a place like this." He knew they weren't going to pay him, but he wanted to know what they were going to give him exactly.

"Your two year marker is coming up, and if you cooperate we might be able to strike you a deal for early release. Dr. Quinzel is behind you on this, and feels you've come a long way. What do you say Edward?" Gordon asked him.

Edward smiled a bit, "You drive a hard bargain Commissioner, but I'll gladly help. Whatever I can do for the people of Gotham." He said sarcastically before opening the file.

Gordon and Dr. Quinzel exchanged slightly worn out looks before watching him leaf through all the evidence in the folder. Edward looked up at Commissioner Gordon. "Well, this was helpful."

"Care to share what you found in here?" Gordon asked hoping he'd cooperate this time.

"Take a seat Commissioner, it's about time you saw the case in a better light." He smirked.

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