The Rose and Her Thorns

Only one word can describe moving so many people and animals out of a three bedroom house; chaos. Everything and everyone was hustling with activity, the boys frantically moving to try and pack everything before noon. The older boys were moving through the house, shouting and ordering each other to grab all their stuff and cram it in the suitcases. Fliting about the house at supersonic speed was Eli, gathering things up and placing them into suitcases, taking less than three seconds to move through the entirity of the structure.

Ivy sat with Eddie in the living room, watching as her boys and Sunni packed everything up. All of her clothes were already in her suitcases, so all she had to do was watch the babies. On her knee sat Howard, the little blond boys bouncing up and down cheerfully. Jonathan was sitting in the armchair stiffly, watching as the little ones played happily on the floor. Watching over them was Lyall, little hands running through his thick silver coat.

The man called the Scarecrow was still nervous about having so many wild creatures around him, but he was reassured that all of the wolves were perfectly safe to be around as soon as Sunni was there. As if to show him that he was good, Lyall stood, gently lifting Hayden on his back. Slowly, the large wolf paced over to Jonathan, placing Hayden into his bony lap with care. A light chuckle escaped Eddie's throat at his colleague's stunned expression.

"They do that a lot, Johnny."

Harley bounced in the room, flushed and energized enough to pass for a jack rabbit on crack. "Hey Red! We're all packed! Can we leave now?"

Grinning, Ivy said, "Sure. Just make sure that all of the cases are in the Escalade before we go. I don't want to make second trips."

The harlequin saluted and shot off like a bullet, grabbing Gabe as he tried to lope into the room. Standing, Ivy grabbed Miles and Howard, saying something about taking one last look around the greenhouse before they left. Eddie watched her leave with a rather worried expression on his face. Something told him that the adopted mother wasn't as fine with leaving her home as she made everyone think.

A dull throb pulsed through Ed's chest as he tried to stand, reminding him that he still wasn't fully healed. Snow and Ziva had floated into the living room by now, shooting concerned looks in the Riddler's direction. He returned a slight smile, trying to get the little wolves not to worry. Then the pain was gone and he straightened, following Ivy into the kitchen. "Hey Jonathan, can you watch Hayden for a while? I'm going to find Ivy."

"You're kidding me aren't you? I don't know how to watch a child! The closest I've ever come to babysitting was staying with Harley for a couple of minutes."

Eddie rolled his eyes."You'll be fine. Just watch it if his face turns red. Hayden spits fire."

"What!"

But the exclamation fell on deaf ears, as Edward had already strode through the kitchen door. Not surprisingly, Ivy had already retreated into the greenhouse. The bright pink of her pheremones were tainting the air just inside of the greenhouse door. The scent of chamomille and lilacs floated to his nostrils as Eddie entered the large building, alerting him to his girl's discomfort.

A small smile creased Ed's cheeks as he thought about what he just told himself. His girl. That was what he was calling Ivy now. Maybe Sunni was right. He did love her, he just didn't want to embarrass himself. Well, caution was going to the wind that night. At least he was going to have a proper bed in the mansion. He might even get to sleep with Ivy if everything went as planned. Mel growled softly, one of his vines slithering out to tap Eddie on the shoulder.

"Hey Mel. Do you know where Ivy is?"

Somehow the giant plant understood him, lifting the huge vine to point towards the southwest corner of the large glass building. "Thanks Mel."

With cheerful skip in his step, Eddie bounced off towards where the Venus Flytrap pointed, the smell of Ivy's pheremones getting stronger. He found her in the bed of roses, cuddling Howard and Miles like she had Hayden when she first disappeared here. The smile split into a grin as Eddie snuck up behind her, shushing Howard as he started to giggle.

Leaning down, he whispered gruffly in Ivy's ear, "How's it goin' sexy momma?"

The green villianess jumped, whipping around as she clutched onto Miles and Howard. Annoyance crept into the bright green depths of her eyes as Ivy glared up at Ed. "Do you have to do that every time you greet me? What are you trying to do? Give me a heart attack?"

Eddie plopped down next to her, removing Miles from her grasp. "I would never give you a heart attack Ivy. You're much too pretty for that."

"Flirt."

"Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words may never hurt me."

Despite the tears that had been building in her eyes, Ivy laughed, leaning her head against Ed's. He raised a hand and started to stroke her hair, eliciting a light sigh from the woman. "Why are you crying? We're going to live in a mansion for crying out loud!"

"I'm just going to miss my plants."

"They have greenhouse."

"Yeah, but those aren't MY plants. They're someone else's. I'm talking about Mel and the others. What's going to happen to them once we leave?"

A frown creased Edward's brow as he squeezed Ivy lightly. "I don't know, darling. But just think about all the new plants that you're going to get to help once we move. Wouldn't you like to help them?"

A sigh. "Yes. Thanks Eddie."

"I'll be here all week."

With a laugh, Ivy gave him a light kiss on the cheek and stood. The pair were almost to the door when they heard a high-pitched, girly shriek eminate from inside. Edward had to force himself not to burst out in hyena laughter as he said, "What do you want to bet that Hayden's burned of Johnathan's eyebrows?"

Girlish giggling erupted from Ivy as she pushed open the door and replied, "I would take that bet, but I don't want to pay you anything, so I won't."

Sure enough, when they reached the living room, Sunni was holding Hayden while the Scarecrow placed a wet cloth to his forehead. When removed, the fabric revealed that his eyebrows were indeed gone. The boys were practically rolling on the floor, pointing at the scrawny man and chanting, "Johnny's got no eyebrows! Johnny's no eyebrows!"

Harley was actually trying to scold them, her blue eyes twinkling with something close to disapproval. "Guys stop it! Johnny's never taken care of Hayden before. He couldn't a' known."

"Actually I did."

Now Sunni sniggered. "You're not helping your case there Spooky."

"Can we just leave now?"

Eddie answered as he entered the room brisquely. "I'd sure like to see this mansion of yours. So let's go!"

The boys leapt up, whooping and running out the door to the Escalade. It took them about two minutes to get into positions that they could rest comfortably in, but other than that, those children moved like lightning. The teenage Sunni rolled her eyes, leading the pack out to the General. Surprisingly, all nine wolves fit into the Charger. But they were adament in their decision to have Sunni drive.

At first Ivy was wary, but after the girl pointed out that she was Bandit, the villainess agreed to let her drive. By nominating herself, Harley was allowed to drive the Trans-Am, so Jonathan was stuck driving the Jaguar. He didn't mind though. How often did a criminal nerd like him get to drive a Jaguar? Answer; once in a blue moon.

And soon they were off, weaving through the streets of Gotham and heading towards the outskirts. Old derilict buildings, the smell of pollution, and the roar of traffic faded into the distance. The city of Gotham soon gave way to communities of large mansions with manicured lawns and the smell of fresh country air. Sunni led the way, slowly creeping towards a particularly impressive French Chateau-styled mansion

Light brick covered the exterior, with stones lining the doorways, windows and edges of the house. The lawn was a lush green, with a wrought-iron fence lining the sidewalk until it reached the driveway. A five-car garage stood off to the side, seperate from the entirity of the home. All in all, these kids had lived in veritable fortress for most of their lives.

Pulling into the drive, they shut off the vehicles and stepped out, the adults and pack staring up at the huge house while the children moved along like it was nothing. "Are you guys just gonna stand there gawking? Or are you going to help us unpack?"

Jolting out of her stupor, Ivy was the first one to offer a hand. She grabbed two of her bags and lifted them with relative ease. Snow, Akin, and Ziva kept right on staring, questions bombarding their human packmate's mind at a mile a minute.

Do you really own this place?

Can we pee on the plants here?

Is there a backyard?

Am I allowed to kill the cats that come here?

Mercifully, Thalia stepped up and reprimanded them, telling the trio to calm down or get back in the car. Immediately, they all shut up. Blissful, Sunni thanked the alpha female and continued un-loading the bags while Harley and Eddie got the toddlers out of the Escalade. Entering the front door, they were confronted with a grand entry-way, two marble staircases running up to a second floor and several doorways leading off to the side.

Brushing past her Mom, Sunni gave them all the grand tour, describing where everything was and who's room was who's.

"All the bedrooms are upstairs. On the right is mine, Eli and Gabe's, Cam and...well, Cam's room now. On the left is the master, Jasper's room, the nursery, and the guest bedroom. Harley can have that one. Jonathan can have the futon in the living room downstairs because I'm sure that Mom won't mind sharing the master with Eddie."

With an over-exaggerated kissy face, Sunni bounced off to her room, lugging her suitcases with her as she went. Eyes rolling, Ivy went to the left to find the master. It was at the very end of the hall, double-doors leading into an absolutely enormous room. Chocolate brown walls made it seem cozy, even with all the space between the California King sized bed and the dressers. There were two walk in closets, each with enough space to accomodate a full bathroom.

The on-suite bathroom had a large shower and a clawfoot tub along with it's impressive double vanity. Ivy had to hand it to Mr. Amyx; he had taste when it came to house decor. After taking in all the sights, she un-packed her things and went to go find Harley. The harlequin was already sitting in the room that was to become hers. An oddly thoughtful look graced her face as Harley scrunched up her nose.

"Red, do you think Sunni would mind if I did some personalization?"

"I don't know Harl. Ask her. I'm pretty sure that she said she was taking the pack out back."

With a graceful leap, Harley bounded over to her best friend and grasped her by the hand. With a rushed jog, the pair made their way downstairs, passing rooms with blurring speed. A kitchen that made Ivy's own seem juvenile flitted in and out of sight, along with the living room and a mahogany wood-paneled den. The dashing harlequin only stopped when she had to open the back door.

Out they went, bursting into an enclosed backyard that was more of a meadow than a yard. The pack was running about happily, chasing each other and rolling in the grass with their tongues lolling out. Sunni was with them, a huge grin plastered to her face as she played tug of war with an unusually happy Drake. A small smile split Ivy's face as she watched them play.

"I'm going to go find Eddie and the boys."

""Kay Red. I'm gonna stay out here for a while."

With that, their conversation was over. The plant villainess strode back into the house, navigating with relative ease for the size of the space. She was about to call out to the boys when something in the library caught her eye. There was a bookshelf that was standing open, leading down to a dimly lit hall. Curiousity caused her to move forward, almost unaware of her actions. Then the smell hit her.

It was antiseptic, like the hospital...or a scientific lab. But mixed within it was something else. It was metallic, sharp and stank like hell. Following the smell, Ivy went down the hall and came out in a laboratory. Immediately her heart froze in her chest. This was where it all happened. The experiments. Mr. Amyx's death. The bright rusty stain on the white tile floor bore testament to what her oldest adopted child did.

The machine that stood just before the blood-stain made Ivy's heart flutter with rage. That was what made her babies mutants. That horrid machine destroyed those kids' lives. She should destroy that thing, but she couldn't. There was nothing that she could see that would cause any significant damage to the wretched thing. So, she settled for leaving the lab and not looking back.

She soon found the boys in the kitchen, Eddie and Jonatha fixing them a snack. Camden turned back to her, flashing a sunny smile as he hopped down from his barstool. The island could seat all of the older children comfortably, not including the table that sat in a bay window area right next to it.

"Where've you been Mommy?"

Ivy put on her best smile and lifted the little boy into her arms. "Oh I've just been looking around."

Something close to terror flashed across Cam's face as he whispered, "Did you go into the library?"

"Yes."

"I don't like the library."

Gently, Ivy placed a kiss on his brow and said, "I know you don't baby. You don't have to go in there any more. Okay?"

"Okay Mommy."

The others looked at her strangely, but a stern glare from the small red-head quickly made them turn away. NOBODY wanted to get on the bad side of Ivy, especially Jonathan. He didn't want to have plants rip off certain parts of his anatomy. The thought made the Scarecrow shiver, so he went back to swiping peanut butter onto the bread.

Eli and Gabe caught the shudder and sniggered to each other. Living with Spooky meant that there was going to be an endless number of times they could tease him for being a nerd. The lanky man's flinch as Ivy waltzed over to the other side of the counter only intensified the chuckling.

"So what's cookin' good lookin'?"

Laughter caused Edward's shoulders to shake. "Since when do you think I'm good looking?"

A shrug. "Since you think I'm sexy."

"My dear, I think it's common knowledge to every man in Gotham city that you're the sexiest woman alive. I just think that it adds to your personality."

"I'm flattered."

A quick kiss to his cheek made Eddie blush crimson. Oh yes, his plan was working perfectly. Now if he could only find some booze...

Hey ya'll! It's me again and I fell PRETTY! I'm sorry you had to hear that. At least you don't hear the voices as they sing in my head. They're loud and they make my twisted brain hurt.

Anyways...I LOVE you guys! Thanks for so many positive reviews! Now, I was hoping to get tips from all you readers, so I have a request. If you read this chapter, you must review my story. That goes for people who are annonymous as well. If you don't, I will get Gir to sing the Doom Song while I come after you dressed like Jason Voorhees. Or should it be Micheal Myers?

Decisions, decisions...

REVIEW ME!

With insane glee and evil love,

BlackRosePoetry