"Where is she?" Edward muttered to himself as he stood outside the Iceberg Lounge's backdoor. Every second Elizabeth wasn't here was another second that the Batman could swoop down on him. "Where the hell—" His stopped abruptly as a gunshot rang through the air.

"Damn it." Edward took off in the direction of the bang hoping it wasn't Elizabeth while betting it was. 'What has she gotten herself into?' He slowed as he approached the entrance to the alleyway he'd heard the shot from and peeked around the corner. Four men were in the alley surrounding a body lying on the ground. Edward swore under his breath when he saw a grey furred arm from in between their legs.

"Shit, is she dead?" One of the larger men asked. Edward's eye widened in shock and then narrowed in fury. If they had killed her…

"No, look she's still breathing. Pick her up and let's get her to the car." The smallest of the shadows ordered. As one of the beefy men bent down Edward fingered the gun on his belt ready to pull from the holster if needed. Then, as soon as the man had touched Elizabeth, she sprang from the ground. Grabbing the man's head she twisted it violently. There was a high pitched crack and the man dropped to the ground like rock.

"No!" One of the other large men shouted, "you bitch I'm gonna—" The rest of his sentence was cut off as Elizabeth launched herself at him tackled him to the ground. He screamed as she bit into his face and his scream became high and shrill as she pulled back bringing part of his cheek with her. Elizabeth bit him over and over again munching over-enthusiastically on his face like a child with a cob of corn.

Edward and the other two men stared transfixed at the sight in front of them and they were only pulled out of their silent horror when the man on the ground went limp. The smaller of the two remaining men turned on his heels and ran for his life out of the alley. Moving fast Edward tripped him up with his cane and then hit him over the head with the steel briefcase that held the money. Down the alley the other man wasn't as lucky.

Elizabeth had cornered him against the trash bins and he was pleading for his life. From the mouth of the alley Edward watched as Elizabeth leaned over her prey. She was growling and snapping her teeth together.

"Oh please, no, no, don't! Please! Oh God help me! God—Gaaaah!" Elizabeth flung herself on top of him, grabbed his face, and began banging his head against the metal trash bins. Edward could see splatters of blood flying up the sides of the trash bin with ever hit. Soon the man stopped screaming but Elizabeth still continued her assault until Edward began to see brain matter flying up as well. With a huff Elizabeth released him and stood. Edward took a few steps forward trying to decide whether he should try and confront her; but even his soft footsteps made a sound and Elizabeth wheeled around with a growl.

"Elizabeth?" He said cautiously raising a hand to show he meant no harm. She took a few steps forward growling. Edward didn't move but his hand tightened on his cane. If he had to he would knocked Elizabeth out. As she approached Elizabeth stopped growling if anything her silence was more frightening. Her gold eyes were on fire with rage and pain; the blood that splattered her face and dripped from her mouth was sickening. A light breeze blew past Edward and down the alley and Elizabeth froze. She sniffed the air. Slowly her lips closed around her barred teeth. Elizabeth sniffed the air one last time then looked directly into Edward's eyes. Edward saw fear and terror flash through Elizabeth eyes before they rolled back and she fainted.

He stood stiff for a moment before running over to Elizabeth, dropping his cane and the briefcase as he went. Elizabeth had landed on her front so he rolled her over.

"Elizabeth? Elizabeth?" He said his hands running along her sides and chest as her checked for wounds. There were none, at least no flesh wounds; her polymer armour seemed to of worked.

"Elizabeth, wake up." Edward shook her shoulders but Elizabeth didn't move she didn't even moan. "Damn it."

There was the sound of hurried footsteps and Edward looked to the mouth of the alley, the man he had tripped was gone. Edward must not have hit him as hard as he thought. Looking down at Elizabeth again Edward picked up the keys that were lying a few feet away and then his cane and briefcase. With another glance back at Elizabeth Edward exited the alley and quickly got his car a few more blocks down. The police would be coming soon and he needed to get out of here.

When he returned he was glad to see Elizabeth hadn't moved. For the briefest second he thought of leaving her behind but something prevented him from pressing down on the gas pedal to make sure he got away. Getting out of the car Edward scooped Elizabeth up in his arms and carried to the car. Carefully he laid her in the back seat and then got back in the driver's side. The ride was heart-pounding although Edward would never admit to being scared he didn't know what state Elizabeth would be in when she woke up and being in an enclosed space…it was safe to say Edward was nervous.

Several police cars passed them, their lights flashing, as Edward drove but by luck or by chance they made it back to the hideout without fuss. Edward propped the door open with his cane and then fetched Elizabeth from the car. He set her down on the couch careful not to jar her too much. Running a hand through his hair Edward took a short breather.

"I need a drink." Edward went over to his alcohol cabinet and pulled out a bottle of whiskey poured himself a glass he downed the liquor two gulps. Feeling better with the burn in his throat he put the bottle away and closed the cabinet. He caught a glimpse of his reflection in the cabinet's glass. The front of his suit jacket was covered in blood the red smears standing out radically against the green. Edward sighed and removed the ruined jacket, finally one that wasn't destroyed by the Batman.

From the couch Edward heard a faint moan. "Edward…"

"Elizabeth?" Edward bent over the back of the couch. Elizabeth's eyelids were fluttering and her face was scrunching up. Suddenly her eyes flew open and she sat up nearly hitting Edward. As soon as she had sat up though her gave yelp of pain and fell back down.

"Ow…" Elizabeth groaned.

"How are you feeling?" Edward asked.

"What kind of lame question is that?" She asked her voice laced with pain.

"The one I asked."

"Well it's hard to breathe and I was shot…did my armour work?"

"You mean you didn't test it?"

"…No." Edward rolled his eyes.

"If you weren't already hurt…come on let's get you out of those clothes and bandage you up."

"Yay," Elizabeth smiled weakly, "Nurse Edward."

"Careful or I'll make you do it yourself." Edward came around the couch and began taking off Elizabeth's greaves and boots as she slowly removed her gauntlets.

"There's zipper in the back," Elizabeth said pointing to her armour.

"Alright, don't sit up again, roll onto the side that hurts the least." Carefully Elizabeth rolled onto her right side and Edward slowly undid the zipper. When he was done Elizabeth lay on her back again and began working the armour off her chest and arms. Edward helped her pull the fabric off. Looking down Edward gave a sharp intake of breath. A massive ugly bruise had already formed along her ribs right below her breasts and wrapping around to her back.

"That bad?"

"Well I have seen worse…I need to check for broken ribs. This is going to hurt but bear through it." Elizabeth clenched the seat cushions in hands as Edward pressed his fingers along her chest right in the center of the bruise.

"Okay only one is broken but another might be fractured." He said quickly pulling his hands away. "We're going to have to move so I can set the bone and bandage it."

"Alright, let's just get it over with." The two moved carefully from the couch to the kitchen area and then up onto the table. Edward retrieved the medical kit from the bathroom upstairs.

"Here bit into this if you need to," Edward said giving her a rolled up dish towel.

"Thanks." Elizabeth put the towel in her mouth.

"I'll set the bone on three then. One…Two!" Elizabeth screamed as Edward forced the pieces of bone into their proper place and even through the towel it hurt his ears.

"Okay, okay it's done. I'll bandage it now." As Edward bent down to get the bandages Elizabeth wiped the tears that were pricking at her eyes away.

"Easier to breathe now?"

"Yeah."

"Good that means all the bones are in the right places." Edward deftly wrapped Elizabeth's chest in bandages and gave her a couple oxycodone to ease the pain. "Can you make it up the stairs or would you like to sleep down here?"

"I think I can make it besides I should probably wash up, you know, blood and stuff."

"Sure, just yell if you need help, careful not to get the bandages wet." As Elizabeth made her way up the stairs Edward put the extra bandages away and picked up the fur armour placing them on the table. His eyes wandered over to the alcohol cabinet. Maybe he needed another drink.

Upstairs Elizabeth was violently washing the blood from her face and hands. Splashing water on her face Elizabeth allowed the pink mixture to drip off as she bent over the sink. "Damn it. So close so fucking close!" She swore angrily at the porcelain. A few frustrated tears leaked from her eyes. Snatching a towel from the bar she wiped her face of the blood and water then grabbed her toothbrush and began harshly cleaning her mouth. She brushed until her gums stung trying to get all the blood out of her mouth.

"God fucking damn it." She barked at her reflection. A link to Cuvier had been right there, right there! And she had to go and mess it up.

There was a soft knock on the door. "Elizabeth?"

"One second." Edward didn't listen though and opened the door.

"I said one second," Elizabeth said angrily.

"And I waited one second."

"That's not what that…whatever. Thanks for bandaging me up Edward."

"Don't mention it because I will be holding it over your head later."

Elizabeth smiled. "Of course you will. Now if you'll excuse me." She slipped past him into the bedroom. Wary of her ribs she slipped off the rest of her armour and placed it over a chair then pulled on a pair of pajama bottoms.

"You can have the bed to yourself tonight," Edward said after he had put the medical kit away.

"So generous, Edward you are truly a saint among men." He chuckled and Elizabeth joined him but she was quickly forced to stop by the pain it caused her. Edward took a few steps forward in concern but Elizabeth held out a hand.

"I'm fine."

"Be more careful, it'd be bad if they healed wrong."

"I know…" Elizabeth slipped her legs under the covers of the bed. "…Edward?"

"Yes?"

"Do know what happened? Did you see?"

Edward's face went dark. "Yes."

"Could you tell me?"

"If you want." Edward sat on the edge of the bed and told her what he had seen.

"I see thank you for not leaving me there." Elizabeth leaned forward to kiss Edward but he pulled away slightly causing her to pause. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," Edward said too quickly. He pecked her on the cheek and then stood up. "Get some rest. I'll be in my office you need anything." Edward left quickly trying not to think of the confusion and hurt he saw in Elizabeth's eyes. He shut the door behind him with a sigh.

It may sound petty but having just seen those teeth tear the flesh off a man's face Edward was uncomfortable with having them near his lips. He knew Elizabeth wouldn't hurt him but still Edward couldn't rid his mind of Elizabeth's brutal behavior. Sure he had seen the photos and the video tape but to witness it in person. To hear the ripping of flesh, the growls, the screams, and then to have those fearsome eyes turned onto him and not knowing whether or not she would attack, it was difficult to look at her the same way. Running a hand through his hair Edward descended the stairs. He needed another drink.

A few hours later Elizabeth lay awake in the bedroom listening to the moans of the house as the pain had woken her up and was preventing her from falling asleep again. Her eyes shut she tried anything to ignore the pain from across the hall she heard Edward in his office pacing across the floor. She listened as the pacing stopped and the door opened. Elizabeth relaxed her face pretending to be asleep when the door to the bedroom opened as well. The choking smell of whiskey washed over her as Edward sat on the edge of the bed. Was Edward drunk?

"I'm sorry." It was almost a whisper but Elizabeth still heard it. "I'm sorry Elizabeth. I almost left you in that alley. I thought just for a moment that if I did then I wouldn't have to worry about all the confusion you cause me and I wouldn't have to…to worry about losing you. When I saw you there lying on the ground, when I thought you were dead…my heart stopped. Those few seconds…" Edward's slurred words trailed off and Elizabeth was tempted to open her eyes a tiny bit to see what he was doing. She resisted though if Edward found out she could hear his drunken confession there was no telling what he would do. After several seconds Edward finally continued.

"…I was at a loss. It was awful thinking, for those few seconds, that you were gone. God listen to me, so fucking cheesy." There was a clinking of ice on glass as Edward took a sip of the drink he had brought with him. "You like that though don't you? You always blush when I'm cheesy. Ha. If the Arkham doctors could hear me now…Leeland would be having a field day."

The bed springs groaned as Edward shifted and leaned over Elizabeth. "Don't leave me, I enjoy you too much." It took every ounce of control for Elizabeth not to move when Edward placed a gentle kiss to her lips. "Good night, Elizabeth."

As Edward left the room and shut the door Elizabeth promised herself that she would never let Edward know she heard this.

Daniel's hands were still shaking even as he downed another beer back at Cuvier's hideout. He had returned a couple hours ago after witnessing that monster slaughter those men. Luckily for him no one had been around to watch the little breakdown he had. To calm his nerves he decided that a drink was in order which is why he was surrounded by beer bottles at the "kitchen" table. The door to Cuvier's office opened and Daniel looked over at his boss who was beaming brightly looking much saner than he had in several weeks.

"Daniel! Excellent news! We have a sponsor! The man I told you about, he saw Elizabeth on the television and is willing to give us the money to catch her. As show of good faith isn't it wonderful?"

"No," Daniel said.

"What? Did you drink all of these?"

"Yes, for the pain."

"Pain, what the hell do you mean?"

"I'm sorry boss but I went to go get her tonight. I thought we wouldn't get paid until we had her, so I went to get her…she's a monster boss you don't wanna deal with her."

"Of course she's a monster, she my lovely little creation."

"Lovely! She ate a man's face! That fucking freak tore off his face!"

"Very well," Cuvier said sharply, "if you feel that way you won't have to go after her again. Just find me some information on her that we can use as leverage friends, family, see if you can get to her sister but Daniel…" Cuvier snatched the bottle out of his hand. "…sober up first."