The Rose and Her Thorns

Sunlight streamed through the windows of the Amyx Mansion's master bedroom, illuminating a sight that some would call cute. If you knew the occupants of the California King, however, you would describe the scene before your eyes as just plain weird.

Poison Ivy was pressed tightly against the Riddler's side, a purr almost rising in her throat as she slept. The small woman's green skin and red hair contrasted greatly with all the deep red color of the sheets, but one wouldn't take notice of that fact. Just watching the smile on her face as she slept would be enough to make some pass out. But what was really shocking was that Edward Nygma, the man of a thousand riddles, was cuddling with her in his sleep as well.

It was all really confusing to Akin as he sat on the edge of the bed and whined. His friend wasn't normally with someone. Now he didn't get his cuddling time! And to him, that was just plain mean, because Ivy was really warm.

But then the other person began to stir, prompting Akin to leap off of the end of the bed. It simply wouldn't do to have cacti growing permanently out of his butt if he was caught. Ever so carefully, he crept to the Eddie's side, watching with icy blue eyes as the man opened his own eyes to look around the room groggily. He almost seemed...confused for a moment, but then he quickly regained his senses and broke into a triumphant smirk.

Ever so gently, Eddie raised his hand and started to stroke Ivy's hair. The long strands were spread out on the pillow, knots and kinks interwoven within the silky locks. But soon they began to unwind, flowing gently over his fingers. The still sleeping plant villainess grinned, snuggling closer to the source of the stroking.

Then sounds began to float into the quiet room, disturbing the perfect peace of the room. The smile on both of the adult's faces faded, turning into frowns of confusion. Venomous green eyes fluttered open as Ivy awoke with a yawn.

"Wassat?"

The in-articulate question made Eddie laugh despite the loud sounds coming from outside. He drew Ivy on top of him and kissed her on the forhead. "Wake up, sleepy-head. There's something outside."

The woman's eyes widened in surprise and she leapt up, blushing deeply at the position she found herself in. From the other side of the bed Akin trotted, wagging his beautiful, white, plumed tail as he rubbed against Ivy's legs. "What're you talking about?"

Confused, Eddie's frown deepened, creasing his usually smooth brow. "Don't you hear them? It's coming from the front lawn."

Listening hard, the auburn-haired woman finally realized exactly what Eddie was talking about. It was the sound of voices and cameras and vans and so many other things that brought unpleasant flashes of her many arrests back to her. Ivy's skin darkened in anger as she pulled back the draps that faced the front lawn of the mansion.

Dammit! Those stupid paparazzi reporters were like cockroaches! A growl escaped her throat as she paced back towards the door, throwing it open with Akin on her heels. Eddie quickly followed her down the hallway. He wasn't surprised by the rather violent reaction, but it still worried him.

What would happen if she went berserk on the men and women outside the house? The answer to that question would be this; nothing good.

"Ivy, dearest, calm down. You're going to wake up the boys with your stomping." The frantic whisper slowed her rampage through the house, but it did nothing to calm her livid temper.

Ivy whipped around, eyes blazing with concentrated rage as what she saw on the lawn circled through her mind. "I will not calm down! They're sticking their noses in business that is so not theirs! I don't want my babies around people like that."

And with an angry flip of her head, Ivy was down the stairs and heading towards the sounds of people in the kitchen. Edward sighed. This was going to be a REALLY long day.

Kitchen

Unaware of the fury of her adopted mother, Sunni ate a large bowl of Cinnamon Toast Crunch happily with Harley and Jonathan. They were discussing her drum kit when Ivy burst into the large room. Her bright red hair shone in the light of the kitchen, looking like fire made tangible as it shone. "Who the heck are all those people outside?"

With wide eyes, Harley and Sunni gave each other a conspiritory look. Guiltily, hazel eyes looked up at the furious woman as Sunni said, "Paparazzi people."

"I thought you said this place was safe."

A sudden look of thoughtful annoyance crossed Sunni's face as she groaned. "Mrs. Jezeorski! I forgot about Broccoli Head!"

The collective frown around the room prompted the teen to further explain herself. "There's this old lady that lives a couple of houses down. We call her Broccoli Head because her head's shaped like a broccoli flower. She must've called the press last night. Mrs. Jezeorski's always got her nose stuck in other peoples' buisness."

Just when it looked like Ivy was about to explode, Eddie burst into the room, Akin; Thalia; and Fang on his heels. He was anxious looking, but quickly assessed the situation with a cool head. "Ivy, I think one of the babies' is up. Can you please check?"

Ivy still looked like she was about to kill somebody, but when Edward walked up and squeezed her hand gently, she calmed down. With a still slightly curt nod, she took off for the nursery. It didn't take long before she could hear the soft whimpering cries that Eddie had been talking about. Padding across the hardwood floor, Ivy entered the large room to find that little Hayden had woken up.

But the cries and whimpers ceased as soon as Ivy scooped the small baby up. Now he was smiling at her. A fake pout crossed his mom's face as she pressed her forehead to his. "What's the matter baby? Did the mean men outside wake you up?"

A giggle escaped Hayden as he pressed further into Ivy's chest. Cooeing and bouncing the little boy in her arms, the plant villainess went back downstairs. Apparently something momentous had occured to Sunni in the time that she had been gone, as they were all gathered around the phone.

"Um, hi Tim. This is Sunni."

Silence. "Yes I know it's been a long time. But I'm here now, and I've got a favor to ask."

The tension in the air was almost palpable. "Okay, can you come down and tell the paparazzi people to leave? They're starting to tick certain members of the house off."

More silence, and then a smile. "You are a GOD-SEND Tim. Thanks. I'll see ya in a minute."

When Sunni hung up the phone, the harlequin by her side pounced, pulling her into a bone-crushing bear hug. The only thing that really broke through Harley's resulting squeal was Hayden's little whimpers. Gently, Ivy stroked his hair while she raised an eyebrow at the little crowd gathered there.

"So who's this Tim person?"

Everyone jumped, looking over at the woman as she stepped further into the kitchen. A slight smirk had replaced the angry grimace Ivy had worn earlier. But even so, the others were still wary. Ivy's temper was notoriously fickle.

That still didn't keep Edward from coming over and kissing her atop the head. "Someone's in a better mood."

"You still haven't answered my question."

Sunni shrugged and grabbed some more cereal from the table. "He's the boy Bruce Wayne adopted a couple of years ago. We were friends until Dad went all psycho on us."

All of the adults winced at the word "psycho", but no one really said anything. Something new had insinuated itself into the noises coming from outside. They were louder, more demanding and insistent. And there was another voice amongst them as well, younger and much calmer than any of the others.

"Please, just leave this home. You're disturbing the peace of the neighborhood, and I have homework!"

"It's Christmas break,kid!"

"How the hell do you know whether or not I have homework? Get lost!"

There was a roar of sound. Sunni sighed while the other looked out towards the front lawn in horror. Biting her nails nervously, Harley stuck her head out of the doorway. "Do you think we should help him?"

A shrug. "Tim's pretty darn tough. I'm sure he can handle himself."

Just as she said that, a loud thud and more shouting eminated from outside. The ruckus was so loud, it scared Hayden, causing him to start crying again. A concerned looked crossed both Ivy and Eddie's face as the former of the two tried to calm her baby boy down.

"Maybe I should help him."

Hey ya'll! I'm sorry that I haven't been updating lately. I've got another story in the works and it's been kind of difficult to update both stories as quickly as you're all used to.

But please review and leave me everything but flames. You're opinion is appreciated.

With optimism and love,

BlackRosePoetry