Monday. Elizabeth tapped her fingers against the table as she stared at her cup of cold coffee. It was Monday. She had eight hours until she was to meet Edward. Eight hours before…what? She didn't know what this dinner would mean. Her entire relationship with Edward could change or the status could remain quo as far as she knew anything could happen. Elizabeth ran her fingers through her hair, it was getting long she needed it cut or she'd have trouble fitting it under her wigs. She tapped her fingers again.

"Okay," she said aloud, "hair cut first and then getting ready." Elizabeth stood and dumped her coffee in the sink. Imputing a number on her phone she only waited two rings for the other end to pick up.

"Derby Stylists: hair, wigs, and more, how can I help you?"

"Hey, Mina its Elizabeth." Elizabeth pulled again from the phone as the lady on the other end squealed.

"Elizabeth! Oh how have you been darling!? You haven't been in, in ages! I was getting worried, with Arkham and everything."

"Yes, it has been awhile, and that's why I'm calling I need a style and a cut for tonight are you free?"

"Of course, you know I don't get much business around here and even if I wasn't I'd always make time for my best customer."

"Thanks Mina when can you fit me in?"

"As soon as you get here you silly goose. I'll see you in a bit then bye!" Elizabeth hung up smiling, grabbing her keys and purse she ran out the door. Derby's Stylists was a fair distance away from her new apartment it had been closer before she had to move but Mina had been her hair dresser before her accident and after she had been the only one Elizabeth was comfortable with doing her wigs so the trip was worth it. Besides as Mina had said it'd been awhile and their customer/seller friendship shouldn't be abandoned just because it took an extra two buses to get there. Within half an hour Elizabeth arrived at the little tucked away hairdressers she'd been going to for the past seven years. The entrance bells had barely announced her presence before Elizabeth was swept into the arms of a very large woman.

"Oh, Elizabeth, darling how I've missed you!"

"Mina please, my back." Mina let go of Elizabeth and pulled her inside nearly throwing her into a seat. She was smiling widely her over use of make-up near perfectly hiding her genetically male features. The long manicured nails on Mina's large hands clipped together as she tapped them against the back of the chair.

"Okay off with the wig."

Elizabeth removed her wig and handed it to the stylist who plopped it down on a Styrofoam head. "You know, I've actually been wearing my wigs less. It's starting to become tiresome having to deal with them all the time."

"Good." Mina grabbed a vibrantly pink cape and threw it around Elizabeth. "As much as I enjoy styling your wigs, I've always thought you should be yourself, let the real you shine through."

"As I've said before Gotham doesn't take well to frea—to people who are different."

"I didn't let that stop me and I know you don't care what people think of you even more than me." Elizabeth smiled looking at the trans-sexual woman reflected in the mirror.

"Yes, you're right and that's why I'm here. My not caring has gotten me involved with someone and I'm going to dinner with him. But!" Elizabeth said quickly seeing the look of excitement on Mina's face. "I'm not dating him, he's just an acquaintance."

"Whatever you say, darling. Wig first or hair?"

"Wig, it'll take more time."

"Okay, now what were you thinking? Just a bit of curl or something more? What kind of place is he taking you?"

"We're meeting at Rosa Luna, I was thinking something up."

"Rosa Luna? As in the Rosa Luna!?"

"Yes, owned by Thorne and everything."

"Oh semantics, that's a fancy restaurant, you two must be pretty serious."

"We're not dating!" Elizabeth yelled standing up and wheeling around to glare furiously at the stylist just as the door opened and a tall blonde woman in pig-tails walked in. "Oh, hell no," Elizabeth whispered.

"Hey! Mina! Long time no see. How ya' doin'?" Elizabeth tried to duck behind the chair but Harley saw her before she could. "Elizabeth? I didn' know ya' went here too!"

"Harley, this is quite the surprise." Elizabeth looked over at Mina in open shock. Having her here was one thing but a convicted felon and mad woman was completely another.

"You two know each other?" Mina asked looking between the two of them.

"Yeah! We were in the Mad House together," Harley came in completely allowing the door to slam behind her, "an' we went to college together!"

"Thank goodness, I thought I'd have a lot of explaining to do."

"Don' worry," Harley said hugging Mina and then coming over and giving Elizabeth a hug as well, "now wha' was this abou' datin' Elizabeth?"

"It's no—"

Before Elizabeth could defend herself Mina cut in. "She's going on a date tonight to Rosa Luna."

"A date!? How excitin'! Who's it with? Wait le' me guess! Da' Professor! I knew ya'd hit it off, ya'll be perfect for each other. Just like me an' Mista J!"

"It's not a date!" Elizabeth said loudly pulling herself away from Harley who had wrapped her arms around Elizabeth in excitement. "It's just dinner! And it is most certainly not with Jonathan!"

"Well who is it then?" Elizabeth's face went bright red in frustration and embarrassment.

"Edward," she mumbled too low for Harley to hear.

"Wha'?"

"Edward, alright! Happy!?" Harley's face lit up like a Molotov cocktail.

"Oh! That's sooo great! I'm too happy for you guys! Yippee!" Harley began to spin around in excitement but she wasn't watching where she was going and one of her arms hit into the beauty table knocking over Elizabeth's wig. Usually that would have been fine if it had not been for the fact that Mina hadn't put away the cleaning supplies yet and the wig landed in the mop bucket full of dirty water.

"My wig," Elizabeth exclaimed weakly.

"Oppsie sorry 'bout that."

"No, it's not your fault," Elizabeth slumped into the beauty chair. That was her best wig, ruined, gone, even if they could salvage it there was no way it would be wearable for tonight. Mina seeing it was best to leave Elizabeth alone for the time being pulled Harley away from anything else she could destroy.

"Harley, darling, as much as I'm glad to see the Clown hasn't killed you yet, what are you doing here? I thought I told you to call before you came?"

"I did call but all I got was da' answerin' machine. I thought ya'd listen to it before I came." Mina glanced down at the salon's answering machine there was a message there somehow she hadn't seen it before.

"So you did darling, sorry. Why don't you sit down while I finish up Elizabeth?"

"Oki-doki!" Harley spun around smiling at sat down on the garishly pink and blue seats by the window.

"Alright Elizabeth let's do that hair."

Elizabeth looked at herself in the mirror. She looked really sexy. The dress had flattered her figure before but holy crap this was knock-out. Mina must be goddess in disguise. She had taken her ratty grey hair and transformed it into a master-piece. Usually Elizabeth had Mina cut her hair into a short unflattering pixie cut so it would fit under her wigs and so she didn't have to have it cut too often. But this time she had given Mina free range to do what she wanted and it revealed how talented her friend was.

It was hard to describe the style, it looked like something from a cartoon; her bangs were cut just above her eyebrows and blended back with the rest of her hair which was cut in countless layers that end just below her hairline. It was rather a wild shaggy haircut and would give her awful bedhead but if brushed back with just a bit of gel it looked quite classy. Elizabeth smiled and gave herself a playful wink.

A knock on her door stopped Elizabeth from flirting with herself. She glanced at the clock, it was ten after four. 'That must be Mr. Wayne, I nearly forgotten he said he'd drop by.' Another knock.

"Coming!" She called hurrying to the door. Peeking through the peephole she saw it was indeed Mr. Wayne, smiling and holding a thick manila folder in his hand.

"Mr. Wayne," Elizabeth cheerfully as she opened the door.

"Miss Howard." Wayne's eyebrow disappeared behind his hairline as he caught sight of Elizabeth. "You are looking very lovely indeed; I hope you didn't dress up for me."

"I wouldn't flatter yourself too much," Elizabeth said, "I'm having dinner with a friend tonight."

"Lucky man. Here's the folder as promised, are you sure…?"

Elizabeth took the folder and sighed. "Yes, Mr. Wayne, I've made peace with the changes, they're not all bad. Thanks though it does means a lot."

"I understand…I'm sorry about what happened I had no—" Elizabeth held up a hand to stop him.
"It's fine, it wasn't your fault. Shit happens sometimes, nothing we can do about it we can just move on."
"You're right," Wayne rubbed the back of his head awkwardly. "Well I'll just…"

"Quick question Mr. Wayne, what cologne are you wearing?"

"I'm not wearing cologne," he said rather surprised by the question.

"Really? Well you have a lovely natural scent then."

"Thanks," Wayne smiled. "I'll see you at Veronica's party then."

"Bye." Elizabeth shut the door and turned the locked. Leaning against the door she let out a shaky sigh. They smelled the same, they still smelled the same. Mr. Wayne and Batman weren't wearing the same cologne, because Mr. Wayne wasn't wearing cologne. No, no, no. No! Her nose wasn't reliable. Jonathan had two different scents, one for when he was Professor Crane and one for Scarecrow. It made no sense.

Elizabeth groaned in frustration then glanced over at the clock. It was already ten to five. It took nearly a good forty minutes to reach 19th street by car, she better leave soon. Trying to shove her sensitive nose out of her mind Elizabeth called a taxi to pick her up in twenty minutes and went to put on her make-up.

Elizabeth was two minutes late. Edward glanced over at the clock annoyed. She had made such a big deal about him being here on time and she couldn't be. He took a sip of water and tapped his fingers on the table.

"Right this way ma'am." The distant voice of the head waiter said. This better be her. Edward's view of the new arrival was blocked by the waiter as he led the person towards him. The man finally stepped aside and Edward's mouth opened slightly in shock.

"Here you go ma'am, can I bring you anything to start with?"

"Just some water."

"I will get that right away."

"Good evening Edward." Elizabeth sat down in the opposite chair. Edward didn't respond he was stilling looking at her, slightly wide eyed, in surprise. Nervously Elizabeth pushed back a strand of her grey hair but it was too short to stay.

"I'm usually annoyed by all your talking but could you say something?"

"Yes, I—" Edward quickly gathered himself. "Good evening, you look very good in blue."

Elizabeth smiled. "And you look very good in black." Edward sat up a little straighter at this and unconsciously puffed out his chest.

"Of course I do, I am Edward Nygma. I always look good." Elizabeth was prevented from responding back about how he looked like complete dork in his original costume by the arrival of her water.

"Your meals will arrive shortly, is there anything else you require?"

"Just privacy," Edward said not looking at the waiter. The waiter inclined his head slightly and disappeared.

"The meals are coming? You already ordered for both of us?" Elizabeth said displeasure in the undertones of her voice.

"Yes. Is that a problem?"

"I just don't like people making decisions for me."

"Very well, I will refrain from doing so again."

"Thank you." Elizabeth took a sip of water her eyes darting around taking in the setting. They were in a secluded corner there were only three tables that could see them clearly and all three were empty. She wondered in that was just a coincidence of it Edward had planned it. Edward was still looking at her Elizabeth caught his eye as she took another sip of water and suddenly became very nervous.

"Why are we here Edward?"

"This is one of my favorite restaurants."

"You know what I mean. Why did you ask me to dinner?" Edward looked away from her for the first time that night and took a long sip of water before answering.

"I already told you. I was bored."

"Originally you said it was "for my pleasure". Also I believe you would find something else, something more entertaining, than taking me to dinner if you were bored."

"Who says you're not entertaining? But you are correct; my boredom is not the only reason for me inviting you out." Edward took another sip from his glass before continuing. "We need to talk, it's been a while since we had a proper talk and we need to sort some things out."

"Yes, so long, what almost a week and a half, a very long time." Elizabeth voice was dripping with sarcasm and Edward smirked.

"Every second an hour." Unwillingly a light blush crossed Elizabeth's cheeks at the nearly romantic sentiment.

"Yes well maybe Clock King should look at your watch then." She looked away from Edward his gaze was suddenly too penetrating and she felt exposed the longer she looked at them.

"So no wig or contacts, what happened to Gotham not liking freaks?"

"Not to stroke your large ego but you were right; I shouldn't need to hide behind my wig." Edward smiled she was stroking his ego in all the right places. "If I'm going to move forward in the world I need to stop hiding who I am…also Harley ruined the wig I was going to wear."

"Harley?"

"Yeah, apparently we have the same stylist and decided to visit on the same day."

"Small world."

"Very."

"I have to compliment your stylist," Edward said leaning forward and resting his elbows on the table. "Your new haircut highlights your features very nicely."

"Thank you…Edward may I ask you something?" Elizabeth asked looking a bit troubled.

"Of course."

"Don't take this the wrong way but is this supposed to be a date?" Edward paled slightly and fell back into his chair a bit but he didn't answer.

"Edward?"

"Ah look, here comes our food," his concentration was suddenly focused completely on the incoming waiter.

"Here we go coal-grilled steak with fire roasted red pepper and garlic mashed potatoes and sautéed asparagus for two, and to compliment a cabernet sauvignon grown in Chile." The waiter set down their plates in front of them and poured them each a glass of the wine. "Would you like me to leave the bottle here?"

"Yes." As the waiter walked away Edward started on his meal still avoiding Elizabeth's question. Determining that Edward wasn't going to answer anytime soon and realizing how hungry she was Elizabeth began eating as well. The food was delicious and briefly she wondered how much it cost. Judging by the class of the restaurant and how it was steak, she was sure it was too much.

"It's delicious I suppose I can forgive you for ordering for me."

"I knew you'd like it, their steak is one of the best I've had."

"Unfortunately my unanswered question is leaving a bad taste in my mouth." Edward's chewing slowed and he swallowed but didn't take other bite. "Edward, I thought this was just a meeting at first, just you being you; but your behavior is telling me otherwise and I'm thinking that everyone else might be right and you did ask me out on a date." Edward looked slightly awkward, if that was possible for him, and he adjusted his tie.

"You see that was partly what I wanted to talk about. Obviously, I find you attractive sexually but it appears to be more than that. You've seemed to have lifted yourself from casual puzzle to something I can't—" Edward cut himself off not wanting to say it, that she was something he couldn't stop thinking about. Even his plans of heists and stumping Batman had taken the back burner to Elizabeth.

"I see," Elizabeth took a long sip of her wine, "well whatever I have lifted myself to; I can safely say, I find you physically attractive as well and despite your bad-temper, invasive behavior, and egotistical nature I find you more than just physically attractive."

"What about my criminal behavior? That is quite the sticking point for most people."

"Yes, well, that was a problem before but as you might have noticed, laws mean less to me now than before."

"I think I might have." Edward smirked and finished his glass of wine. He poured himself another glass and topped off Elizabeth's who was almost done. "Speaking of rule-breaking, your plan what does that entail?"

"Well it's pretty simple, there are really as of now I have only one target: Cuvier. Sure I'll be getting back a bit at the mob as per my agreement with Falcone but I can't really go after the whole mob."

"That's not really a plan."

"No, it's not, my plan is to find Cuvier and kill him very slowly then destroy his formula and all the papers so no one can get their hands on it and destroy all the samples that the Maroni mob has of the formula and all their work."

"And after that?"

"I suppose I'll find Henry Giuseppe and get him for owning those blasted wolves but that's really the scope of my plan."

"I see…" Edward trailed off thinking and Elizabeth turned back to her plate. She finished her steak and her glass of wine fairly quick. Elizabeth shook her head the alcohol was starting to get to her.

"So how is your sister? Does she know we're having dinner?"

"Of course she doesn't know, I actually haven't talked to her since Saturday she called me to say she had talked to her boyfriend and they were getting together for dinner but she never called to tell me how it went…I should probably call her tomorrow to ask, hopefully she's not dead somewhere in the gutter."

"You think her boyfriend would do that?"

"Not really, but as much as she pretends she can take care of herself she is far too trusting and naïve. This Antonio guy sounds nice enough, I know is he's rich, of Italian decent, lives in Gotham, and his family runs a business but for all it is worth those are the same descriptors as the son of a mob family."

"I doubt she's dating a mob son."

"Hopefully you—" Elizabeth was suddenly cut off by a load crash and a scream from the front of the restaurant. Edward ducked quickly behind the table and pulled Elizabeth down with him. Wrenching her arm from Edward's grasp she peeked over the table just as a crazed male voiced cried out.

"Silence peasants! You will kneel before the Condiment King!" The restaurant fell silent and behind the table Edward suppressed a laugh. Condiment King was a laughing stock among the Rouges.

"Come on, the police will be here in a few minutes I know a way out." He tugged Elizabeth back down and began leading her towards one of the exits he knew of. Who would have guessed they would have needed to escape from a criminal? Lady luck wasn't on their side it seemed for they were half way to freedom when Condiment King spotted them.

"What's this!? A couple of packets trying to get into the to-go bag? Stop before I fill you full of Dijon." Edward and Elizabeth froze and faced Condiment King who was peering over the table at them. Condiment King gestured his gun and they both stood slowly, although the Condiment Cannon wouldn't hurt them they were both wearing very expensive clothes and didn't want them ruined.

"And what do we have here? You're a really packet of hot sauce aren't you?" Condiment King flashed Elizabeth what she assumed to be a winning smile and winked at her. "Why don't you dump your generic boyfriend and get brand name."

"Careful Heinz you're both brand name but you have a lot of work to do to ketchup to him." The Condiment King looked confused at first and stared at Edward then realization dawned on his face. He shot Edward a dirty look knowing that Edward was one of the Rouges who laughed behind his back and didn't take him seriously. Elizabeth gave a slight yelp as the Condiment King grabbed her and pulled her around the table separating her from Edward.

"But surely, sugar, you'd rather a King of Condiments than a mere Prince of Puzzles."

"Please you're more like the Prince of Puny Pickles, that gun compensating for something?"

Condiment King growled. "I assure you my gun is compensating my hot dog less than his cane. All I need is a bun to put it in." He leered over Elizabeth who leaned away a look of disgust on her face.

"And that's where I draw the line," Edward finally said deciding that enough was enough he could hear the distant wail of sirens; he and Elizabeth needed to leave now. With a fluid motion Edward pulled a gun out from his suit jacket and pointed it at the Condiment King. "Let her go now or we'll have a problem." Naturally, the Condiment King didn't listen.

"No," he said pulling Elizabeth closer to him, "I relish this opportunity to have something you don't."

"Sorry but I don't belong to anyone," Elizabeth said harshly, "and I don't like being a-salted." In a single swift movement Elizabeth nailed Condiment King in his nether regions and twisted from his grasp. He groaned his face going pale and slowly he collapsed to the ground. "Oh dear I think I cracked his peppercorns."

The sirens were even closer now and Edward felt a shot of panic run threw him. They had to get out now. He grabbed Elizabeth by the hand and dragged her past the numb crowd of waiters and rich diners to the kitchens and out the back doors.