"Gah! I lost again!" Elizabeth shouted blinking furiously. Edward smirked, they had been having a stare down contest for the past thirty minutes or so. A frivolous game but one that passed the time nonetheless.

"Of course, I'd never lose such a simple contest." Elizabeth stuck her tongue out at him. She was glad Edward was talking to her again. It'd been so boring just talking to Jervis. The little man was interesting but without being able to see him properly the conversation lacked something.

"Let's not do another," Elizabeth said laying her head against the wall.

"Fine by me, I have a question for you then."

"Ask away."

"Where did you learn to flip people like that?"

"Did you not pay attention on Thursday when I told you my dad is in the military? Just because he was never home didn't mean he didn't care. He made me and my sister take basic training courses. I know how to flip people, break people's necks, and punch them out; along with knowing my way around firearms."

"Impressive."

"Thanks. Flipping people is my favorite. It's how I met my best friend."

"What?"

"I guess that sounds weird."

"Just a bit, yet expected, since its coming from you."

"Oh you're too kind, the story is very interesting, wanna hear it?"

"Why not?"

"Well it was in the first month of school, a boarding school, junior year. I was walking across the court yard when I noticed a circle of yelling kids. Curious I went over to see what was going on. In the circle was a guy and a girl. The girl, Alyssa, was hitting the guy big football player type. She was using Tae Kwon Do, the guy was pretty much defenseless. I never really thought that people who knew marital arts should use them on people who don't so I stepped in. Pushed the guy out of the way and told her to stop, that I'd go to the principle. She tried to push past me so I hit her. She hit me back then she tried to roundhouse me but I caught her leg and flipped her. Knocked her out. Of course, a teacher just happened to come by and everyone scattered leaving me and her there. We both received detention, washing the gym showers. She was pissed at me at first but after then I slipped in some semen in the boy's lockers we got to talking and…became best friends."

"…you slipped in semen…?"

"Yep."

Edward blinked several times trying to picture it. Somehow he didn't think that it was possible but he had seen stranger. "…so why was she fighting the guy?"

"Oh well he had beat up a gay kid in front of her so she beat him up. Doesn't excuse her actions but still…she's always been over-protective of people who are victimized."

"I assume she was victimized then."

"Yes, being an open lesbian and pagan in a heavily Christianized military school doesn't exactly make people friendly to you."

"Except for you."

"I've come to notice that I'm the exception a lot."

"Indeed…" Edward rubbed his chin and muttered to himself, "you seem to be the exception." Elizabeth smirked internally she didn't want Edward to know that she had heard what he said.

"Okay I have a question for you now." Edward looked up at her and raised an eyebrow.

"Very well."

"That device you used to get out of your cell, was that an electric or magnetic scrambler?"

Edward smirked, "What device?"

"I won't tell anyone, the engineer inside me was just intrigued."

"…magnetic."

"Ah, I thought so, simpler than electric yet still effective."

"Yes, and much easier to find the pieces for one; but I thought you were a chemist not an engineer."

"If you're going to solve me you're going to have to start remembering what I say. I was an Engineering and Chemistry major and then I got my Master's in Chem. But I've always been more into engineering than chemistry, I only got my Master's in Chem because I wanted to put the Maroni mob behind bars or else I would've gotten an Engineering Master's instead."

"I see…what did Dr. Leeland want to talk to you about?"

"Surprisingly, Dr. Gullenrow. Apparently, she wants to bring a case up against him for breaking the rules and mistreating the patients."

"Good, I knew there was a reason I didn't kill her…what else?"

"Nothing," Elizabeth said a little too quickly.

"You're lying."

"Maybe," she grinned, "maybe not."

"What else did you talk about," it wasn't a question this time but a demand.

"I don't need to tell you."

"You will."

"You really don't want to know, Edward." He stared hard at her. "Okay fine! We were talking about my period and how they put the female inmates on birth control so they know exactly when their period is going to be."

Edward blinked his face neutral. "You're right I didn't want to know that."

"Well trust me next time." He didn't say anything else just picked up one of his books and began to read. Meanwhile, Elizabeth was laughing hysterically inside. She had just lied to the Riddler and gotten away with it! She turned away from Edward and began sketching a picture in the new felt pens Dr. Leeland had arranged for her to have; and she felt on top of the world.

The rest of the day passed without anything exciting happening, during dinner everyone left them alone, Zsasz had been taken back to his cell for attempting to kill a guard, and they were able to force down a revolting eggplant goulash. Sunday came and went without much fuss as well. The only real shock came when Elizabeth was brought to music therapy and forced to listen to Chopin for three hours, although she liked classical music she was more of a mystical Wagner fan than the airy Chopin. Either way it was late in the night as Elizabeth was lying awake explore her enhanced senses that she realized something very important and very disturbing.

Seven days ago she had been lying awake, like she was now, excited about getting back to normal. She had only been in Arkham a week come tomorrow afternoon. Yet to her it felt like a month. She turned over in bed and began playing with the fray in the sheets. Tomorrow was another day and she would be moved into the women's ward. As far as she knew there weren't any female Rogues in Arkham right now. So she'd be completely alone. Maybe she could get some books.

Elizabeth pulled the covers over her head and cleared her head. She needed to get to sleep. A final thought drifted through her head. 'I wonder when Jonathan will come back.'

The next morning Elizabeth was contemplative during breakfast. She was futilely fantasizing about what she might have happened in the past week if Dr. Jyuugatsu hadn't been bribed. Today would have been her first day at the Crime Lab. She could have been separating DNA strands to be tested or determining what that mysterious sticky stuff was in the victim's pocket was. If only, if only…

Elizabeth was pulled from her dark reverie by someone giving a sharp on her cell wall. She looked up. Dr. Gullenrow was standing outside with two orderlies, luckily for her neither had participated in her beating. She stood up and assumed the position for them to cuff her.

"It's time Miss Howard," he said unlocking her door. The orderlies rushed forward, grabbed her hands and roughly pushed her against the wall. It hurt but she didn't give any sign that she was in pain. Even though she thought Dr. Gullenrow was on her side again she still didn't trust him not to be sadistic jerk to her.

"By guys," Elizabeth said as she was lead down the hall, "see you around."
"Goodbye," Edward and Jervis said. The thick metal door shut behind her with a loud bang.

"The women's cells are a bit nicer than those ones, so that'll be nice." Dr. Gullenrow said as they walked down the hall. Elizabeth gave a non-committal grunt. "And you won't have to deal with any Rogues, all the females are currently loose. Not that there are many to begin with, many more men, many more." She hmm-ed, the doctor was starting to babble.

"I'll see if I can provide you with some books and drawing materials. Are there any books you would like?"

Elizabeth's eyes light up. "Really? If it wouldn't be too much trouble I'd really like to finish 'The Kingdom' and maybe, if you have any, a few romance books."

"Not any trouble at all…oh dear. Off to the side Elizabeth." Elizabeth looked in the same direction as Dr. Gullenrow. Jonathan was being led down the hallway a company of five large guards and orderlies escorting him. His head was down and he was silent. They came closer and closer but Jonathan still didn't notice that there was anyone else in the hall. Elizabeth thought she was in the clear when he suddenly looked up staring right at her.

"Hello Elizabeth."

"Professor." A wide smile spread across Jonathan's face as he was pushed past Elizabeth and he didn't say anything else and neither did she. As soon as Jonathan was several feet down the hall Dr. Gullenrow and Elizabeth continued on their way. It wasn't long before they reached the women's cell. If Elizabeth was correct these cells were actually right next the male Rogue cells they were simply on the other side of the brick divider wall. There were only four cells in this section and she was put the last cell on the left. These cells were bigger than the men's and, because they were just rebuilt and very clean.

"Well here you are," Dr. Gullenrow said shutting the door, "I'll try and have those books for you after lunch."

"Thanks. Bye." The doctor left leaving Elizabeth painfully alone.

On the other side of the thick brick wall was the men's sector where Jonathan was catching up on what he had missed while taking his break from the hassle of Arkham. So far he had been told of Elizabeth's unfortunate lesson, how Elizabeth's hearing went and the scuffle in the cafeteria. To an outsider it would have seemed as though Jonathan, Jervis, and Edward were obsessed with the girl; and though this was partially true, their Elizabeth centered conversation was because she was the only interesting thing in Arkham.

"Our story is done," Jervis said, "now you must regale us with your tale."

"Well, after a quick stroll around my regular haunts I met with Deidre and Nina, they were quite upset that Batman was so close on their tail. Luckily they had already sold the puzzle box for 500 grand."

"Hang-on," Edward said, "you're not talking about that Chinese Puzzle Box Batman accused me of stealing?"

"Why I believe I am."

"You ass…didn't he say it was Query and Echo that stole the box, who are Deidre and Nina?"

"…for a genius you are an idiot Edward." Jonathan said shaking his head. "Query and Echo's actual names are Deidre and Nina. Don't tell me you didn't know?"

"I don't think I ever asked…" Edward shrugged, "doesn't matter now, continue."

"Well we split the cash evenly. Then I went back to my lab and made a few small canisters to use for later." Edward and Jervis smirked. If Jonathan had his fear toxin with him things were going to get interesting in Arkham. "Much later I think though, Elizabeth is indeed intriguing and I wish experiment with her more here first before moving on to the real study." Jonathan was grinning his eyes gleaming.

"She was expecting you to attack her," Jervis said, "be careful what you do next."

Jonathan chuckled, "oh don't worry Jervis, I have everything planned out."

Elizabeth groaned into the pillow. She was so bored it was unbelievable. Surely this was punishment enough for her crime; she doubted she could take another six minutes let alone six weeks. The door creaked open and she scrambled up from her belly-down position on the bed. Leaning close to the glass she jumped back when she saw Batman coming down the hallway.

"Go away," she said even though she was really grateful for any distraction.

"I'm not going to hurt you," he said his voice was a lot less gruff than it was before. "I just want to talk." Elizabeth peered at him suspiciously, she knew that he had no reason to harm but she also wouldn't put it past him. After all he had strangled Edward for information on a ratty old puzzle box.

"Fine." She sat on the edge of her bed and crossed her arms.

"How are you doing?" Elizabeth blinked, she hadn't expected that sort of question.

"Fine, I guess, rather bored since I have no one to talk to now."

"Don't be friendly with the Rouges."

"What? I can't have a cordial conversation with some psychopaths?" Batman stared at her, very un-amused. Elizabeth rolled her eyes. "So…you didn't come here to ask me how I'm doing. What do you want?" Elizabeth's voice had a cold overtone.

"I'm not your enemy."

"I know but you're not really my ally either."

"I could be. I want to help you."

"The mob blackmailed Dr. Jyuugatsu, that's all I know, though I'm sure you knew that by now." Batman nodded. "According to my friend, you read my notes."

"Yes."

"Well? Nobody has seen them until now."

"Inspired if not a bit naïve."

"But they're feasible."

"Yes…you have a keen mechanical mind. Why go into chemistry?"

"I wanted to put the bad guys away."

"You can't now," Batman took a step closer to the glass, "What are you going to do?"

"So we've come to what you wanted to ask me…" Elizabeth smiled, "I'm not sure. I'll have to see where this wave takes me."

"Don't be reckless."

"Fine by me, I hate reckless."

"You know what I mean." He took another step forward so he was nearly touching the glass. Elizabeth rose and joined him. Batman was quite tall, his large muscles were even more prominent close up, she could see every thread of fabric in his suit, could hear nearly hear the beating of his heart, and through the air hole them smell of sweat and blood and… Elizabeth gave a small gasp and looked up at the eyes of the Batman sniffing deeply yet silently. After a few seconds she regained her head.

"Maybe I do. I probably do. Either way what are you going to do?" Batman stared down at her. Her eyes were challenging him to get to the bottom of this mystery. Find out who did this to her and why.

"I'll see what I can do." He turn sharply and determinedly walked back down the hall. Elizabeth smirked but he didn't see.

"Bring me someone to talk to." She called after him and he grunted. As soon as the door shut behind him Elizabeth allowed herself to think about what Batman had smelled like. Who he had smelled like. But it just wasn't possible. There was no way in hell it could be. No way, he could be. Yet… It was possible. Wasn't it? In some ways it made sense. Could he really be…?

Elizabeth shook her head there was no to tell with only one smell. As a scientist she'd have to have more proof. Her new nose wasn't reliable. She was just getting used to it. But still…could the man behind the mask really be Bruce Wayne?

It was dinner time and Elizabeth was trying to keep her calm as she sat down next to Edward. Jonathan was still in line but she knew that he'd be joining them. She wasn't quite sure how to act around him now, she wasn't really scared of him still yet she wasn't as comfortable as she was before and if he was going to treat her like an experiment she didn't know what she would do. Elizabeth saw Jonathan's tall head weave around the other inmates. He was coming. A few second later he sat down across from Edward and next to Jervis.

"Edward told me what happened due to our talk." Jonathan said to Elizabeth, "It was all my fault. I'm sorry."

Elizabeth chuckled, "You're an awful liar."

"That's not what you're supposed to say," said Jonathan leaning toward her looking cross.

"Oh sorry," Elizabeth put on a doe-eyed sympathetic look. "It's okay Professor I forgive you. I'm sure you didn't mean any harm." Edward and Jervis stifled their snorts of laughter. Elizabeth looked completely ridiculous staring up at Jonathan with such a pathetic expression.

"Okay." Jonathan sat back and began to eat contented with Elizabeth's answer. To say the least Elizabeth was quite confused with Jonathan's behavior but if he wasn't going to try and pry about her fears that was fine with her. Just absolutely fine.