The Rose and Her Thorns

Room 502~2:00 a.m~December 6th

Eddie sat in bed, staring up at the ceiling. The hours had ticked by so slowly, making him only more aware of the fact that Jaylon was still fighting to hang on just two floors below him. No one was there anymore, as they had to go home and grab some things before coming back. Ivy had protested violently, but somehow Harley had managed to persuade her to come back with him. Sitting in the far corner of the room was Jonathan, his gaze resting on the silent Riddler.

"Well, I'm thoroughly surprised."

Looking languidly over at the Scarecrow, Eddie raised an eyebrown and said, "What's so surprising?"

A smirk crossed Jonathan's thin face. "You're actually silent for once."

Edward scowled fiercly, turning his head to face the doorway. Somewhat surprised, the Scarecrow stood and waltzed over to the bed. The smirk was still firmly in place, though, as he knew that the Riddler's pride was probably wounded.

"What did I say?"

"Go away Jonathan."

"Come on. What was it? Did I wound your ever so sensitive pride?"

A furious glare was sent towards the Scarecrow, deep chocolate brown eyes filled to the brim with utter rage. "My pride? My PRIDE? Oh sure Johnny-Boy, my pride's hurt. There's also a little boy that's lying unconcious in a bed with a tube down his throat. And a fourteen year old girl that's had her worst nightmares shown to her by a face-full of toxic gas. You can fix my pride Johnny, but you can't fix them!"

The outburst stunned Jonathan, as did the look of utter contempt Eddie shot him after he was finished. Nothing he ever said had really pissed the smaller man off that badly before, so why was he so sensitive now? Rational mind whirring, Jonathan sat down in a chair next to the bed. Something on the nightstand caught his eye; it was a picture. By the date on the photograph, was only about a week old, but what it showed shocked the Scarecrow beyond belief.

It seemed to be a family photo, a genuine smile plastered to everyone's faces. Harley sitting cross-legged in the floor, a small blond baby bouncing happily in her lap. Flanking her were two other boys, each with chocolate brown hair and equally dark eyes. One Jonathan recognized as the boy that Joker stabbed. The other was smaller, and had started to sob hysterically at the sight of his injured brother.

The twins were sitting on the arms, displaying their differences very clearly. Two wolves sat at the punk child's feet, one deep black and one grey. A small pure-white one sat with the other twin. Sunni stood behind the couch, propping herself up on the soft leather. And in the middle of the couch sat Ivy and Eddie, the small green woman tucked under his arm and grinning to beat the band. She had the small auburn haired baby cuddling into her grasp, the small boy giggling happily at the flashing camera. Edward, on the other hand, was holding a larger brunette boy, his smile containing his customary pompousity.

"Since when are you a family man?"

The sentence rose unbidden from Jonathan's lips, but the effect was instantaneous. Eddie whipped around, eyes wide as stared at Scarecrow and the snapshot. "Give me that! Ivy'll have my head if anything happens to it!"

The Riddler snatched the picture away, glaring fiercly at Scarecrow before returning to the smiling family in the photo. He soon smiled slightly, becoming misty eyed as he stared at the photograph. "I remember that day. It was really crazy."

A raised eyebrow greeted the statement, prompting Eddie to continue with his story. "Eli had found his camera and he wanted to take a picture. It took three tries to get this one because Hayden wouldn't look at the lens and Ivy wouldn't quit until she got one with his eyes." A wry smile crossed his face as Edward continued.

"She said that she wouldn't look at any picture if she couldn't see her baby's pretty green eyes."

"You know, you make her sound like she's actually those children's Mom."

Deadly serious eyes turned back to Scarecrow, boring into him with intelligent scrutiny that was unsettling. "That's because she is there Mom, Jonathan. Don't forget that next time you shove fear toxin into one of those children's face either, because she'll come after you."

The Scarecrow didn't even get the chance to answer, as the cellphone on the bedside table rang. Silence pervaded the air as Eddie answered, everything seeming to still as he listened to the other person on the line. Then tears started to well in his eyes, making them darker with grief. He answered quietly, saying that he would tell Ivy when she got back to the hospital. Hanging up the cellphone quietly, Eddie flopped back onto the cushions, streams of moisture pouring from his eyes.

Confused, Jonathan creased his brow and asked, "What happened?"

"Jaylon just crashed. They couldn't revive him."

Realization hit Scarecrow like a blow to the stomach. That little six year old boy was dead. Something close to sincere remorse crossed his thin face as Jonathan said, "I'm very sorry Edward."

"How am I going to tell Ivy?"

Apparently, God decided he was going to be angry with Edward today, because Ivy waltzed into the room at that moment. She was dressed in a fresh shirt and blouse, hair still wet from a recent shower. She was also cradeling a teddy bear that Eddie recognized as Jaylon's Cocoa. Jonathan took one look at the woman and headed for the door, determined not to become part of the sob-fest that was about to occur.

Curiosity and confusion crossed Ivy's face as she crossed to the bed. Cocoa was still held firmly in her grasp as she sat down. "What's the matter Eddie? The nurse at the front desk said you needed to see me."

Suddenly, something in Edward cracked and he couldn't meet her gaze. His eyes were firmly planted on the sheets, refusing to look up at the concerned red-head. "It's Jaylon Ivy."

"What? What's wrong?"

"Ivy, he crashed. They couldn't bring him back. Jay-Jay's not gonna come home."

A deep hitch formed in Ivy's throat, alerting Eddie to the fact that she was crying. Her fists clenched and un-clenched in aggitation, the hot tears pouring down her cheeks as Ivy started to deny everything.

"NO! NO! THAT'S NOT TRUE! JAYLON'S NOT DEAD! HE CAN'T BE!"

"Ivy..."

The villainess turned mother broke down, collapsing onto Eddie in a sobbing heap. The Riddler simply held her, starting to cry himself. With Jaylon gone, life just wasn't ever going to be the same. And all the time they cried, Cocoa was cradeled in Ivy's grasp, still carrying the scent of the little boy that had cuddled him constantly for years.

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R.I.P Jaylon Ryan Amyx

2005-2011

You will forever be in our hearts and minds; loved, cherished, and commemorated