It had been nearly two weeks and Elizabeth was getting very, very antsy. She'd watched nearly all of Edward's movies, read at least 15 books, and even started make blueprints for new vortex cannon and other non-lethal weapons. Her chest no longer hurt constantly and now only bothered her when she stood up to fast or raised her right arm too high. Edward had been going out though whether it was to build up his connections in the Underworld or simply to get food, Edward was getting plenty of fresh air. Elizabeth was determined to get some herself.

"Are you going out today?" She asked as they ate breakfast.

"No, I thought I'd stay in today, spend some time working on a few riddles maybe some time with you."

"Wrong." Edward raised an eyebrow. "You and me are going out today, where we are going to walk through the park, get ice cream, and then go out to dinner."

"And what makes you think you can tell me what to do?"

"Because if I am feeling well enough to go out then I'm feeling well enough to get some exercise and there are quite a few things I think we can do together, maybe something that requires endurance?" Edward's eyes lit up. He knew what she was implying and after two weeks of keeping his hands to himself Edward was willing to do almost anything if it meant being able to relieve his tension.

"Sounds like a plan then. Are you sure just the park? Would you like to go to the mall too? I've noticed you've been re-wearing the same five shirts perhaps we can go shopping for some new clothes for you." Elizabeth smiled prettily as she tried to hold back a laugh. Was he actually that desperate for sex? 'Note to self: don't deny Edward sex for too long or he gets desperate.'

"That would be wonderful Edward, thank you."

When they had finished their breakfast Elizabeth and Edward both got dressed and put on disguises. Edward had wanted to wear his fake mustache but Elizabeth refused to leave to house with that caterpillar on his face. Begrudgingly Edward did so but all it took was a heated kiss from Elizabeth to make him forget his disappointment. The weather was lovely as they stepped outside and walked to the car.

"Why don't we go to the mall first?" Edward suggested as they pulled out on to the main road.

"Fine by me." Elizabeth said with a smile. Even through the windows Elizabeth loved the feeling of the sun on her skin. She tapped her fingers on her leg happily as she watched the cars whiz by as they merged onto the highway. They made it across the city to the shopping district in thirty minutes, decent time for it being a Friday. Edward found a parking spot a couple blocks down from the mall. Once they got inside the mall Elizabeth made her way to the cheapest store in the mall.

"Hang on; you're not serious about getting clothes there?"

"Um…yes I am."

"No, no way. I'm not allowing it; you're not going to wear some five dollar shirt."

Elizabeth raised her eyebrows. "You're not allowing it?"

"Not at all, come on, up to the third floor."

"No way, that's where all the pricey stores are, I'm not wearing anything from them." Edward and Elizabeth stared each other down.

"Compromise, second floor." Elizabeth said, "And then we can go to Victoria's Secret."

"Very well." A small smile played across Edward's lips at the thought of bringing Elizabeth into the lingerie store.

The second floor shops were wear Elizabeth used to buy her work clothes, nice dress shirts and blouses and items that were good for those occasions where you wanted to dress well but didn't want to look like you were going to a ball. They spent an hour or so going through the stores where Edward and Elizabeth argued over who was going to pay. Elizabeth won in the end by promising Edward that he could pick out everything and pay for it when they went to Victoria's Secret. Before going to the going to the lingerie store they stopped off at the food court for an afternoon snack of milkshakes and French-fries.

"You're dipping the fries in your milkshake?" Elizabeth asked incredulously.

"Naturally, how else would you eat them?"

"I don't know separately like a regular person?"

"Elizabeth, you should know I am no plebian. You should try it." Elizabeth gave him a questioning look but took a fry and dipped it into her chocolate milkshake. She scooped some of the creamy mixture up with the fry and stuck it in her mouth. Her eyes went wide in surprise.

"Good isn't it?"

"Mm." Elizabeth replied with her mouth still full of salty sweet deliciousness.

They finished their light lunch Edward feeling smug the entire time as Elizabeth continued to dip her fries in the milkshake. Has fun as Edward had found lunch he was even more thrilled when they stepped inside of Victoria's Secret. Sexy possibilities called to him from every corner. Corsets, push up bras, thongs, frilly panties, they all were dancing through his mind with Elizabeth as the model. No pink, he decided quickly, cool colours only.

Edward pulled Elizabeth over towards the back where he had spotted a delicately lacy blue bra with matching panties.

"You're going to have too much fun with this aren't you?" Elizabeth said with a sigh as Edward began going through the lingerie.

"Elizabeth, my dear, you have no idea."

Over an hour later Elizabeth and Edward finally left Victoria's Secret Elizabeth was unsuccessfully hiding a blush as she came with a bag filled to the near brim with panties and bras. It was safe to say that Edward had gone a little overboard in buying her sexy lingerie and Elizabeth had refused to look at the total after the fourth bra was rung up with several more still to go. With the shopping complete they left the mall. It was nearing 3 o'clock and Elizabeth persuaded Edward that they should go to the park for a few hours before dinner.

A light breeze flowed through the park as they strolled along the lakeside.

"Thank you for taking me out Edward," Elizabeth said wrapping an arm around his and leaning into him.

"Of course, it's been a while since I've been out for pleasure, though I cannot wait until I am inside for pleasure."

"Edward!" Edward said playfully smacking his arm, "there are children around."

"Oh they can't hear, besides they'll have to learn the birds and the bees eventually." A couple of kids ran by playing tag nearly knocking into Edward. "Brats," Edward muttered.

"They're just having fun Edward."

"Well they should pay attention to where they're going." There was a sudden cry from behind them and they both turned their heads to look. One of the children was on the ground clutching their knee blood already running in rivulets down their leg. Without think Elizabeth released Edward's arm and rushed over.

"Hey there sweetie don't worry I'll help you." Elizabeth reached into her purse and withdrew a set of anti-septic wipes and a large bandage. "There, there." She cooed as she took out one of the wipes.

"Now this is going to sting okay." The young girl nodded tearfully and Elizabeth started wiping the blood and dirt away. "See that wasn't so bad." Elizabeth undid the large bandage and carefully placed it on the girl's knee.

"There you go, are your hands okay?"

"Yes," the girl said sniffing, "thank you."

"Of course, is your mommy or daddy around?" Elizabeth's question was answered by a woman's cry of relief.

"Donna!"

"Mommy!" Elizabeth moved aside as the woman scooped up her child in her arms.

"Are you alright? I told you not to run around like that."

"I'm sorry mommy."

"Thank you for helping her," the woman said to Elizabeth.

"Of course, just be careful now." Elizabeth left the woman and child and returned to Edward who had watched from the sidelines with an amused expression.

"Something funny?" Elizabeth asked as she looped her arm around his and they began walking again.

"No, it's just that, well you went to the brat's aid without a second thought."

"So?"

"So, you're a criminal now you have to think about your image."

"Says the guy who won't rob charity balls for cancer and AIDs because it's not good form."

"Touché." They continued to stroll in silence eventually making their way back to Edward's car. It was a little after five pm and they decided to get an early dinner at the restaurant chain down the street instead of going across Gotham to a fancier restaurant like they had planned. They stepped into the Applebee's and were quickly ushered to a small table near the bar. The walls of the restaurant were decked out in Gotham Knights paraphernalia and mementos from Gotham University's sports teams while the TV's around the bar were showing the University baseball team's game against Metropolis.

Elizabeth and Edward ordered their meals both deciding to get a drink along with it, for Edward a beer and for Elizabeth a specialty margarita. They chatted about sports for a while where Edward learned that, despite Elizabeth's dislike of running, she enjoyed watching and playing sports. There was a lull in the conversation when the waitress brought them their meals and they began eating.

"So, what have you been up to when you're going out?"

"Gathering information, Cuvier has hidden well. Most of my sources know nothing meaning someone is keeping people quiet."

"Damn. Thank you, though for your help."

"Naturally, don't forget your part of the deal though."

"Yeah, what was it you wanted me to do by the way, you never really said."

"Of course, I want you to fully take up a position you have already partially take on." Elizabeth raised an eyebrow as Edward took a long sip of his beer leaving her suspense.

"And that is?"

Edward wiggled his finger indicating to her that he wanted to figure it out. Elizabeth sighed and rolled her eyes. "Okay, so it's not sex then…um…oh! I know! Guard dog." Edward smirked. "Very well but I'm still not dressing up like your henchgirls."

"I wouldn't expect you to."

Edward and Elizabeth finished their meal and left the restaurant leaving the waitress a spotty tip. The night air was cool and there was a slight breeze blowing through the streets. The sidewalk was barren except for a few other couples walking hurriedly between destinations as though their skittish behavior would deter any muggers. They were almost to the car when a black van pulled up beside them the window down.

"Miss Howard." Elizabeth and Edward turned to be greeted with a gun in their faces.

"Good evening, is there something I can help you with?" Elizabeth asked coolly as she tried to sneak her hand into her purse for her gun.

"Stop." The man cocked the gun and Elizabeth froze. "Now get in the van or I'll shoot your boyfriend here between the eyes." The side door to the flat-back van opened and two large men stepped out and surrounded them.

"In, now." One of them said gruffly. Elizabeth glanced over at Edward his face was calm but she could in his eyes that he was calculating his possibilities. With a determined breath Elizabeth squeezed Edward's arm and stepped inside the van. As soon as her foot touched the metal she heard one of the men grunt and Edward cry out in pain. She went to turn back to help Edward but she had just spotted Edward on the ground when the two men rushed forward slamming her against the back of the truck. Elizabeth fought back against them trying to pull away. They grabbed her arms holding her down.

Amidst her struggling Elizabeth's chest crashed into one of the men's knee causing her body to freeze as her broken rib sent waves of pain coursing through her. Taking advantage of Elizabeth sudden lack of movement the men grabbed a syringe from the driver and plunged into her neck. Elizabeth struggled feebly for a few seconds more before passing out.

She was cold. Elizabeth went to rubbed herself but her arms were heavy they couldn't move. She groaned. There was movement around her and she tried to open her eyes but found she couldn't. Something even colder than she was brushed against her cheek and she jerked her head away but before it lolled back to the middle her neck too weak to support the movement for long. She heard more movement just within the range of her senses and then the scrape of something metallic. There was a quick and sharp press against her neck and Elizabeth's eyes shot open and she pulled her body forward only held back by thick bonds.

"Good morning, Miss Howard." As Elizabeth's body relaxed and the room and the man standing in it came into focus. Garbed in a bloody lab coat and rumpled dress shirt and slacks Cuvier had a mad scientist look about him, which is exactly what he was.

"You," Elizabeth growled.

"What have you done to yourself? A broken rib, a freshly scarred stab wound, a barely healed bullet scrape, my experiment should take better care, I need you after all."

"You sick fuck let me go."

"Let you go? When you've just come back into my care? No, I think not." Elizabeth strained at her bonds again and Cuvier smiled. "Relax, relax, everything will be alright." Elizabeth growled again causing Cuvier to chuckle. He turned to the medical tray besides him and fiddled with the few dangerous looking instruments on it.

"You know, I've been following you, what you've been doing. I'm so glad you're finally taking advantage of my gift and thanks you I finally got funding again but only for a bit they want to see more proof of what my serum can do before they give me enough for more tests. Oh we're going to have so much fun together."

"I'm going to kill you." Elizabeth said. "Even if it kills me I will kill you."

"No, no I don't believe you will." Cuvier snapped his fingers and a door opened behind him. Two large men entered dragging a smaller figure between them. They thrust the person into the light and they fell onto the floor. A mass of dirty red hair covered the face but Elizabeth knew instantly who it was. Alyssa.

"God damn you!" She roared.

"Hush now," Cuvier said brushing the hair from Alyssa's face before jerking her head up violently. Alyssa's eyes were half-lidded and her face was heavily bruised.

"I will rip out your intestines and choke you with them."

"You know she said the same thing, I guess you really are close. I'm glad we chose well instead of going after your sister. We found her in your old apartment, she was looking for you. That was nearly two weeks ago."

"You have me, let her go."

"Why would I do that? You see, I was told you know how the formula worked on you and you're going to tell me and you better hope your right because this little beauty here is going to be my first test subject." Elizabeth snarled and pulled with all her might against the table she was chained to, the metal groaned and creaked under the pressure but she couldn't break free.

"Calm down, you don't want to hurt yourself even more." Cuvier snapped his fingers again and the two men lifted Alyssa to her feet and dragged her away. Elizabeth strained her neck trying to see where they were taking her. "Don't look so mad you'll see her again. Now my dear experiment, what do you know?"