Elizabeth moved cautiously down the stairs she could hear Edward snoring lightly on the couch and didn't want to wake him. As she snuck towards the kitchen she passed the alcohol cabinet and noticed the decanter of whiskey missing. Rolling her eyes Elizabeth made it into the kitchen without waking Edward. Now came the hard part making breakfast without waking him. She opened the cupboard and saw the frying pan was underneath several pots. Perhaps just cereal then and some orange juice.

Retrieving two bowls and cups from the other cupboard she set them on the table along with two spoons. She grabbed some Cheerio's and poured them into the bowl and then got the orange juice and milk from the fridge. Elizabeth poured the milk on her cereal and then topped it off with some sugar she considered adding milk to Edward's bowl but decided against it. She knew Edward didn't like his cereal soggy meaning she would have to wake him up; and judging by the stench of alcohol Edward still needed some time to sleep it off.

Elizabeth was half way through her meal when Edward woke up. "Hello sleepyhead."

"What?" Edward rubbed the sleep from his eyes. "Elizabeth? Morning."

"It's 2pm."

"Afternoon, then." Edward got up from the couch. "What are you doing up?"

"I was no longer tired and my stomach was growling."

"I meant out of bed," he said taking the milk from the fridge and pouring some on his cereal.

"Well I wasn't sure when you'd be up so I took two more oxycodone and came down here and I must say Edward despite your smell you don't seem the least bit hung-over."

"Huh?" A bit of colour flushed Edward's cheeks as he realized what she said. "Oh I didn't have that much besides I have good genes when it comes to holding my liquor."

"I see…" Elizabeth took a few more bits of cereal watching Edward carefully. "Edward can ask you something?"

"Of course." He said with a smile. "I love questions."

"Something personal."

His smile faded slightly. "Sure."

"I was wondering if you could tell me about—well I found the picture you had in a puzzle book, so I was wondering if you could tell me about your mother."

"Ah." Edward's tone was cool and crisp as he spoke. "Well there isn't much to tell. She left when I was ten and I haven't seen her since."

"You still keep a picture of her."

"Yes, she was the woman I felt the most attachment to and even if she did leave without a trace some of that attachment still exists." Elizabeth stared at Edward a canine tooth biting her bottom lip. It made more sense now, what Edward had said last night, about not wanting her to disappear. She did not miss the "was" in the sentence either and the idea made her stomach flutter.

"Is there anything else you want to know?" He asked taking a sip of orange juice.

"Yes, when did your hair change from red to brown?"

Edward raised an eyebrow. "I believe it was when I was thirteen; I never paid that much attention."

"Alright, well just so you know you seemed like an adorable kid."

"Of course, I was but quid pro quo. Now it's my turn to ask you something." Elizabeth was halfway through chewing and nodded. "What is your mother like?"

"Oh well typical military wife, I suppose. She's worries far more than she should, she loves to use guilt trips, and she is a "proper house wife". Cooking, cleaning, not standing up to my father, and following my father around the country and globe because she can't function without him."

"So your mother is—"

"Submissive to my father yeah, Mom is one of those good Christian women that never speak-up to men."

"And I see you've grown-up to be just like her," Edward said sarcastically.

"Naturally," Elizabeth looked Edward up and down. "I guess I am like my mom in away."

"How so?"

"I never understood how she found my father attractive with his military behavior but after seeing you in action. You barking orders like that, commanding, and so confident, it was thrilling."

"So I'm like your father?"

"No, not at all, well I suppose in general terms: confidence, authority, stubbornness, a fondness for whiskey and revolvers."

"What was your father like?" Edward's voice was casual but Elizabeth could see the gleam in his eye telling her that he was highly intrigued.

"Quid pro quo Edward you'll have to tell me about your father too."

Edward's cheek twitched once in annoyance. Then he spoke quickly yet coolly. "My father was an ex-football player turned drunk after an injury and could not appreciate anything other than a good arm. I believe his proudest moment as a father was when I socked him in the jaw before I left the house for good."

Elizabeth's mouth opened in amazement she hadn't actually expected Edward to tell her anything about his father. Well she had no choice but to tell him about her father. "Okay, my father is a Colonel in the US Army, Colonel James Howard. His was constantly moved around the country when I was young and mom forced us to move with him. While Victoria and I were growing up he made us take basic training with the soldiers, I hated the running and pushups but loved the fighting. He forced me to attend military galas to show me off. Despite being a harsh man he always got me flowers on my birthday."

"What type of flowers?"

"I don't know, it was always a variety bouquet so whatever is available in November. Oh and he is super Lutheran."

"Fun."

"Super-duper, best part was being disowned for coming around to a Dawkin-esque way of thinking."

"Disowned? Your family is wealthy?"

Elizabeth could see a glimmer in Edward's eye. "Hang on there, gold-digger. My family is only upper-middle class, disowned here mainly means he ignores me if I visit for the holidays. It makes it very uncomfortable, meaning I haven't seen them for the past couple years."

"And that's also why you didn't want to tell your family what happened to you."

"Spot on, look at you solving me." Edward rolled his eyes.

When they had finished eating Edward washed their dishes while Elizabeth picked out a movie for them to watch. After the excitement of last night they had both thought they deserved a quiet day in before they had to go back to the warehouse and give the men their shares. Elizabeth had chosen an old drama-mystery on VHS and after she had popped it in sat with Edward on the couch leaning up against him with his arm around her shoulders.

"Have I ever told you, you smell really good?" Elizabeth said as they sat through the previews as Edward had lost the remote and neither of them felt like getting up.

"No, you haven't."

"Well you do, you smell like brown sugar. It's mouthwatering."

"Brown sugar," Edward disbelieving.

"Well close to it, it is the only name I can give to it except Edward Nygma."

"Fascinating, how does th—"

"Shh, it's starting I'll tell you later."

Edward and Elizabeth stood over their men's unconscious bodies.

"So run?"

"Sounds good." They bolted to the door and behind them they could hear the swish of capes. Suddenly a red and green blur passed them and blocked their path.

"So what you folks doing out so late?" Edward took a wild swing at Robin with his cane which Robin dodged easily. Elizabeth's back stiffened as she felt a large angry presence loom over her. Slowly she turned around Batman stood over her his eyes full of fury. His hand shot out and wrapped around Elizabeth's throat lifting her off the ground.

"Wolf," he snarled.

"Hey Batman," she choked out, "how's Batgirl?" Batman yelled and through her to the side against some crates.

"This has gone on long enough! You're going to Arkham for good this time." Elizabeth tried to get up to run away but Batman caught her. He punched her over and over again, breaking ribs, fracturing her jaw. Eventually Elizabeth could no longer feel the pain.

The floor was rumbling beneath her. Elizabeth opened her eyes and saw Edward across from her his face just as badly beaten as hers. The police van stopped and the doors opened. The policemen grabbed them roughly and threw them to the orderlies. Elizabeth and Edward were dragged through the doors to Arkham.

"Glad to see you're back, Edward." Dr. Leeland said, "Bring him with me gentlemen."

"Edward?" Elizabeth said as he was wrenched away from her, "Edward!"

"Don't worry Elizabeth." Edward called as he was led down a random hallway.

"Miss Howard." Elizabeth's head snapped around. Dr. Gullenrow was standing there with Berg and Roseland. "It's time for another lesson."

Dr. Gullenrow took a syringe out of his pocket and approached her. Elizabeth called out for Edward, for Dr. Leeland, for anyone to help her but her cries when on deaf ears. The syringe slid into her neck and Elizabeth felt her arms and legs begin to sink to the floor. Darkness filled her vision.

"Don't worry we'll take good care of you."

Elizabeth woke with a start. The room was dark. Slowly she sat up and the thick blanket she had been wrapped in fell off. As her eyes adjusted to the dark she realized that this wasn't Arkham.

"Just a dream." Elizabeth rubbed the sleep out of her eyes. "Edward?"

There was no answer. Her eyes landed on a piece of paper on the end table, propped up so she wouldn't miss it. She picked it up.

Hello sleepyhead,

I went to the warehouse. You needed more rest. Take the pills if you need them. I'll bring dinner back.

E.

"Well that's nice; he didn't even tell me when he'd be back." Elizabeth spent an hour or so watching the news and the re-runs of South Park that were on. She had just started wondering when Edward would return when the doorknob rattled and the door swung open.

"Finally you're back I thought Batman…" Elizabeth trailed off as she saw it was not Edward standing in the door way but two women.

"Who the hell are you?!" The three said in unison. Elizabeth grabbed the gun off the end table and pointed it at the women at the same time the two women pointed guns at her. There was a five second pause as the three women starred each other down.

"You're Query and Echo." Elizabeth lowered the gun slightly. "I assume you're here for the Riddler."

"Yes, I didn't know he allowed dogs to hide with him." The taller of the two said.

"Wow, straight to the insults, and here I was going to offer you a drink."

"Diedre," the shorter dark haired woman warned as she put down her gun. Query, or Diedre, sighed and lowered her gun as well.

"Thank you, no why don't you ladies shut the door, you're letting the bugs in." Both women stepped over the thresh hold and shut the door behind them. "Excellent, now I am willing to overlook Blondie's insult, would you like something to drink? I'm afraid the Riddler isn't here right now but you are welcome to wait for him."

"A drink would be great thank you." Echo said.

"Alright," Elizabeth got up from the couch and made her way over to the fridge. "We some Coke, Miller, orange juice, water."

"Water would be fine," they both said. Elizabeth pulled two bottles from the fridge and tossed them to the ex-henchgirls.

"Well, have a seat. I don't know when Edward will be back but unless he ran into Bat trouble it shouldn't be long." Elizabeth handed the women their water and reclaimed her seat on the couch. Query and Echo sat on the couch as well and a very awkward silence descended on them.

Edward balanced the food in one hand as he undid his puzzle lock to open the door. As the door swung open he heard three distinct laughs from inside.

"…and then Robin pushes him into the vat of dye."

"His skin was spotted purple for a month after that!" The women laughed again. Edward nearly dropped the food. Query, Echo and Elizabeth were sitting on the couch together laughing their heads off at his expense.

"Edward!" Elizabeth cried from the couch. "Finally! Me and Nina her were going to make something if you didn't get back soon!" She got up and took the food from him as he stood still rather surprised in the doorway.

"Well shut the door you're letting the bugs in." She said as she set the food down on the counter.

"Elizabeth could you leave us alone for a minute," Edward said as he shut the door with sharp snap.

"Alright." Elizabeth eyed Edward as she went up the downstairs and into the basement. She left the door open so she could hear what they were talking about.

"What are the two of you doing here?" Edward asked his voice harsh.

"Oh Eddie-kins there's no need to sound so angry."

"I asked, "what are you doing here" now answer."

"Can't we just miss you?"

"You're the ones that quit."

"And we're so sorry."

"Get off me." Elizabeth heard Edward's measured footsteps walk across the room. "Leave now."

"Come on Eddie, there's no reason to point a gun at us. We just saw you on the news and realized how much we missed you and you're crazy riddles."

"They're not crazy! Get out now and don't come back you were the ones that quit so go and expand your horizons like you wanted. I hear Penguin is looking for more waitresses why don't you look there."

"Fine! Don't call for our help when shit starts to go down!"

"Yeah you and your new pet can go stuff it!" The door rang as it was slammed shut. Elizabeth waited ten seconds or so before climbing the stairs. Edward was over by the table taking the food out of the bags, acting as though nothing had happened.

"Hope you like Chinese."

"Love it; it was the only thing that got me through college at times." Edward laughed just a little too heartily. Elizabeth decided to ignore it though, she didn't know the relationship between and his ex-henchgirls and if Edward was willing to point a gun at them she was sure it wasn't good.

"So what are we going to do now?"

"As in after dinner?"

"No, like, are you planning anything right now?"

"You mean another heist? No, we need to lay low for a bit. You wounded Batgirl and Batman always comes back with a vengeance if you harm one of the Bat-brats best to let him get distracted by Joker or someone before doing anything. Beside you're injured you need to rest."

"Laying around the house, ok I can do that."