"So this is Tailor's?" Elizabeth giving Edward an incredulous look. The building Edward had taken her too was a dingy little pottery shop on the outskirts of the Narrows.
"This is his wife's shop. He works above the store." The bells of the shop tinkled as they entered.
"Hello—oh it's you," a dark haired woman scowled at them from behind the counter.
"Looking as beautiful as ever Lena," Edward said with a smile.
"Yeah, whatever, get up there he's waiting for you."
"As sweet as an angel," he said sarcastically, "come along Elizabeth." Elizabeth smiled at the woman as she passed and heard a distinctive "oh great not another one" from her.
"Lena doesn't like what her husband does for a living but it's the thing that allows her shop to stay open so she doesn't call the police. Here we are." Edward knocked on the door.
"Come on in," a deep voice called. He opened the door and stepped inside Elizabeth followed. The man in center of the room was large, dark, and standing in the middle of cloth. Nothing like the image Elizabeth had formed in her mind. "Oh, hello you must be the one Mr. Nygma called about. What was it you needed? A dress?"
"Yes, for the opening of the Iceberg Lounge tonight."
"Ah yes, yes that's right I have possible designs right there why don't you have a look while I clean up." He pointed to a few sheets of paper on a drawing table and Edward and Elizabeth moved over to take a look. They were all hand drawn and looked like original designs to Elizabeth, looking at them closer Elizabeth had to say the man had talent if he had made these himself.
"I like this one," Edward said pointing to a long cocktail dress that had a very deep neckline.
"So you want everyone to be staring at my near bare breasts?"
"Never mind."
"What about this one," Elizabeth asked pointing to the 1930's inspired dress with a high-waist line, flaring skirt, and non-existent cleavage.
"And look like something that stepped out of a bad Gangster movie?"
"Look at number 6." Tailor said from the corner where he was putting away a bolt of pink zebra stripped cloth. Elizabeth flipped through the pages until she reached one labeled 6 in the top corner. She pulled it out from the pile and smiled instantly.
"Perfect," Edward said behind her.
"Glad you like it." Both of them jumped Tailor had moved next to them without either of them realizing. "Okay, if you just follow me miss, you may wait outside Mr. Nygma." Elizabeth waved goodbye to Edward as he left and Tailor led her over to a low stool.
"Now if you could strip down to your undergarments, Miss, so I can measure you." He turned around politely and Elizabeth did as she was told. When she was done she tapped him on the shoulder. "Excellent now, up on to the stool."
She stepped up on to the stool and he began taking measurements. From her neck down to the floor, across her shoulder blades, around her arms, along her thigh, and several other places.
"So you're Edward's guard dog, was it?"
"That was a joke but I suppose if it came down to it I would try and stop him from being attacked."
"What are you then?"
"I'm the puzzle he is emotionally attached to."
"…His girlfriend?"
"That makes it sound like we're teenagers."
"So are you a…?"
"Henchgirl? No. Criminal? I suppose the law would call me that now."
"I see." Tailor stood and jotted down he sizes on a sheet of paper. He told her get dressed again as he went over to a long table covered paper.
"The dress will be done by 7 tonight." He said half paying attention as he was already sketching out patterns on brown paper. Elizabeth left the room Edward was waiting outside checking something on his phone.
"Oh, good you're done," he said glancing up, "come on then."
Elizabeth sat across the table from Evan who was tapping his fingers nervously against the wood.
"And that's all?"
"Yeah, I just need a few things. In and out, there's a suitcase under my bed you can use."
"And what makes you think the mob won't recognize me as your friend?"
"Because they're looking for me and if you keep your head down they won't notice you. Please Evan, it's just a few things I need."
"Okay, I'll do it but you have to promise me you won't try anything dangerous."
"Anything dangerous? The mob is after me, I'm worried just being out here with you." Evan tried to give a reassuring smile but his own nervousness and worry easily showed. Elizabeth felt a little guilty lying to him about why she couldn't go back to her apartment but she didn't know if Batman had been by her apartment or if the police were watching it so she didn't want to risk it. Though she didn't know why her apartment would be watched, it's not like she was a major threat but one could never be too careful.
"Here's the key to the front door and here's the one to my apartment, this is the list of what I need and where they should be." She handed him two keys and list of paper he looked it over quickly.
"What do you need a wolf's skin for? Where'd you even get one?" He asked quite loudly.
"It's from the attack and I need it to sell, I'm running out of money and I hear they can fetch a good price." The lie slid easily off Elizabeth's tongue, she wasn't going to tell him the real reason she wanted her wolf's skin, he'd find out in two weeks anyways as would the rest of Gotham. At least then she would have to guess whether or not the police would be looking for her.
"I guess, are you sure this is all?"
"Yes, and thank you Evan this really means a lot to me."
"Anything for a friend," Evan stood, "I'll go now."
"Thanks." He left. Elizabeth watched him walk outside and down the street. They had met in a small café not too far from her apartment, maybe 6 blocks or so, meaning Evan wouldn't have to go far. He had been very surprised when she called him to meet up and arrived at the little café quickly; and he was even more surprised when Elizabeth asked him to fetch some things from her apartment. She told him that the Maroni mob had tried to kidnap her and she was now on the run from them and she suspected they were watching her apartment.
Evan was now out of her sight and Elizabeth turned her focus onto café. It was a small place with pictures of cats and flowers hanging on the wall. The bells on door jingled and Elizabeth glanced over to see the newcomer. Elizabeth nearly dropped her cup. Walking in was a face Elizabeth hadn't expected to see without a white lab coat and most certainly not here: Joan Leeland. Elizabeth quickly grabbed the day old paper that was sitting on the table and flipped it open to a random page so she wouldn't be seen. A couple minutes passed and Elizabeth heard the doctor order a specialty tea and a tuna cheese melt. Cautiously she glanced over the top of the paper as she turned the page. The doctor was looking for a place to sit, it was lunchtime so there most of tables were completely full but there was one empty one across the café. The doctor was heading towards and Elizabeth was breathing a sigh of relief when Leeland paused and looked over at her. Elizabeth ducked her head behind the paper again but it was too late.
"Miss Howard?" Elizabeth lowered the paper. "It is you, may I sit?"
"Sure," Elizabeth said a nervous smile crossing her face, "how are you doing Dr. Leeland?"
"Fine, fine, the Asylum has been in quite an uproar since the breakout, it's been a while since there was one of that size but things have quieted back down now that Zsasz is back."
"I'm glad he's off the streets, that man is scarier than the Joker. I'm just sorry you have to work in the same building as him."
Leeland smiled. "It does get hard sometimes but there is always hope for the souls in Arkham. Like you."
"Like me?"
"Yes, someone who has been in Arkham and managed to go back to a normal life, granted you were never, technically, a patient but even so I'm glad to see you doing well."
"Thank you, I must say it hasn't been easy but it seems most of Gotham has forgotten about me."
"It's good you're not facing any prejudice especially since you were kept with the Rouges. I never did understand why Dr. Arkham allowed Dr. Gullenrow to keep you there."
"I believe Dr. Gullenrow said it was because it too difficult to transfer patients down security levels. I didn't mind though, there is surprisingly good conversation to be had in the Rouges gallery."
"And you're not worried that the Rouges will target you now that they're free?"
"You know Dr. Gullenrow asked me the same thing when he dropped off my things from the Asylum after breakout but no I'm not worried."
Dr. Leeland took a second to answer and Elizabeth could nearly see her make a mental note about something. "Not even Edward Nygma?" She finally asked.
"No, I was just something for him to play with in Arkham. I don't think he'll be bothering me." Doctor Leeland gave her a look of "I wouldn't be too sure" when her food arrived, giving Elizabeth time to change the subject.
"So what do you think about Penguin's—I mean—Mr. Cobblepot's grand opening tonight?"
Leeland frowned and swallowed the bite of melt she had taken, "I would like to say I am optimistic that he really has turned over a new leaf but Oswald Cobblepot never needed to be in Arkham to begin with. That was just the deal he made in the courts to have his sentence reduced. Oh but I suppose I shouldn't tell you that."
"Don't worry I won't tell anyone." They both smiled.
"You know, you're a very lovely woman, Miss Howard, I'm glad everything is working out for you."
"Thank you Dr. Leeland." The door jingled again and Elizabeth glanced over Evan had returned. He was looking a touch pale and he was shaking slightly as he made his way around the tables.
"Hey, Evan, what's wrong?"
"N-Nothing, I was j-just almost hit by a car." He stammered collapsing on the chair next to Elizabeth.
"Oh my god," Elizabeth and Dr. Leeland said at the same time. "Are you alright?"
"Yeah," he sighed, "here's your stupid stuff." Elizabeth took the handle of the bag from him.
"Thanks, here have the rest of my tea." She shoved the cup in his hand and he took a grateful sip. "I'm sorry Dr. Leeland this is my friend Evan, he was just picking up some stuff I left in my old apartment for me. Evan this is Dr. Leeland she works at Arkham."
"Hey," Evan said tiredly raising the cup in salute, "good on you."
"Thank you," Leeland said, "I'm sorry though I must be going I need to make it back to Arkham before my lunch hour is up. It was nice seeing you, Miss Howard. Evan."
"Good bye." Elizabeth said with a wave.
The door jingled as Joan left, her car was parked down the street but not too far where it was an inconvenience. Joan enjoyed the lunches she took away from the Asylum, it helped to remind her that not all the citizens of Arkham were on the verge of losing their minds and running into Miss Howard today was a pleasant surprise. However, what Miss Howard had told her was troubling. Dr. Gullenrow had given her the items from her Arkham stay. That was against regulation and with how he had treated Miss Howard very suspicious. Joan frowned here was Mike Gullenrow causing trouble again. Dr. Arkham had forced her to drop the case she was building against him as "…there are few doctors brave enough to work at Arkham we don't need one leaving because of a little rough treatment of patients".
Arkham loamed above her the jagged rocks and turrets melded the asylum with the harsh island around it. To some this imposing figure would have been terrifying but after years of working with the asylum Joan found the cutting image to be a metaphor for the madness within. The minds insides may be wild and harmful be the doctors were the water ever smoothing down the sides of rocks until they were safe.
Joan parked her car and entered the asylum. The receptionist at the front desk greeted her with nod and Joan smiled at her.
"Oh," the receptionist said quickly, "the time of the meeting about the new psychiatrist has been changed to 1 o'clock; Dr. Arkham asks that you be there." Joan glanced down at her watch it was a quarter to one right now.
"Thank you," she said. Joan proceeded up the stairs to her office. She placed the rest of her melt into the mini-fridge she kept under desk and finished the rest of her tea. Checking her makeup in the mirror she made her way to the meeting room. There were voices coming through the wood when Joan knocked she opened the door and the voices stopped. The other doctors of Arkham were seated around the table. Dr. Arkham stood up a smile spreading across his thin lips.
"Ah, Joan excellent, now we can start." Dr. Arkham waited until she was seated before beginning. "As I'm sure you are all aware we've had a shortage of doctors here at Arkham so I've decided to hire another. He comes highly recommended and will be glad to take on several high level patients for those of you who wish to transfer a few. It is my great pleasure to announce, our new psychiatrist, Dr. Hugo Strange."
"Hello?" Elizabeth called as she entered the hideout.
"Down here," Edward responded. Elizabeth frowned, it sounded like he was in pain. She hurried down the stairs and saw the door to her chemical lab open. Cautiously she poked her head in, he wasn't there. Her frowned deepened as she checked the other room.
"Edward!" She gasped. His legs were caught under a pile of metal that must have fallen from one of the shelves.
"Don't just stand there! Help me!" Elizabeth ran over and grabbed the edge of the bottom sheet. Grunting Elizabeth lifted the metal pile a couple inches; just enough so Edward could free his trapped legs and crawl out.
"Thanks," he said brushing the dirt off his suit.
"What were you doing under there?"
"I was looking for a crowbar, the shelf just decided to collapse on me."
"A crowbar? You mean like the one you have under the sink?" Edward paused.
"No, not at all like that one, a different one." Elizabeth's lips twitched as she held back a smile. For as smart as Edward was it was amazing what he didn't remember or what he didn't think of at times.
"I'll fix the shelf later, do you want some coffee? I brought you some from a café."
"Sure." As they passed the lab Edward was reminded of something. "Oh, I picked up the last of the chemicals from Crane."
"That's great, thank you," Elizabeth turned on the stairs and pecked Edward on the cheek.
"I think I deserve more thanks than that."
"Well you'll just have to persuade me." Elizabeth smirked, her eyes twinkling playfully.
Edward grinned and went to grabbed Elizabeth but she jumped out of his reach and ran up the stairs.
"Catch me if you can." Grinning even wider Edward began the chase.
Several hours later Elizabeth spun in a circle admiring the way the dress moved against her skin. The dress looked like it had fallen straight out of a James Bond movie. The 1950's inspired dress hugged her upper arms and wrapped flatteringly around her waist leading to a wispy lace skirt that swayed with every movement. "Oh it's beautiful." She exclaimed.
"Thank you," Tailor said smiling; "now I have a few adjustments to make, if you just stand still." Elizabeth froze while Tailor adjusted the dress in a few places.
"You are very talented but I wonder how you are with specialty fabrics?"