She'll be here, Edward tells himself. She has to be here. Because if she's not here, then this plan of his might as well be for nothing. Not to mention, he's out nearly three grand on this snazzy new tuxedo with the custom green lining that he'd purchased just for the occasion. And the occasion, of course, is the private unveiling of the Gotham Museum of Antiquities newest and most exclusive exhibit.
While invitation only, sneaking his way into this black tie event was a piece of cake. Hardly worth the effort for a man of his talents. Any chimpanzee with a smart phone could do it. A simple hack and voilà, Edward and Selina's names were on the guest list. It was just that easy. What's not easy, however, is waiting for his plus one to arrive.
Concealed in the armored tech wagon disguised to look like your run-of-the-mill utility van, Edward sets up shop about a block away from the big event.
A string of code here, crack a firewall there and he's tapped himself into the museum's computer mainframe, including all those lovely security features. Cameras. Audio. From behind his stack of glowing green monitors, he's got eyes and ears on everything and everyone. Well... Almost everyone. Everyone but her.
He runs his fingers through his slicked back hair and takes a sip from the disposable blue and white coffee cup he's been anxiously swirling in his hand for the past half an hour, all the while eavesdropping on all the scandalous chatter coming in over his speakers.
The mayor's fooling around with his new barely legal secretary. Again. Ms. Hopkins just bought herself another facelift. Second this year. The Johannes' maid was just deported back to Guatemala. Poor dears. How will they survive?
While useful intel for blackmail, that's not what the Riddler is here for. Ed's had just about enough gossip for one night when suddenly, and thankfully, an all too familiar silhouette stalks across his monitors.
They should all consider themselves lucky. One more minute of this horrid, mindless prattle, and he was bound to start shooting.
"Here we go." He hums to himself.
Downing the remainder of his liquid life fuel, Edward places the cup down on the makeshift workstation and activates his headset.
"When is a diamond not a diamond?" The Riddler muses into the microphone. The audible sigh in his ear lets him know she has her earpiece in and turned on.
Playing the guy in the chair, the Riddler's fingers set to clacking away on the keyboard in front of him. It's a role he excels at. Behind the scenes and in control. Not that he doesn't mind getting his hands dirty from time to time, but he prefers to let the machines do the heavy lifting. That and his intellect.
"Glad you could make it." Edward speaks to his partner in the field. "I was beginning to doubt you'd show. But, better late than never, I'd suppose."
"Yeah, well, you drive a hard bargain." Selina mutters just loud enough for him to hear her over the rabble of guests. "How could I refuse?"
"How, indeed!" Edward chuckles in reply.
He didn't give her much of a choice, Selina thinks to herself as she weaves through the crowd. She either plays nice with him, or she doesn't get to play at all. Which may explain her mood this evening.
"Let's just get this over with."
She's used to running solo. Her plan. Her job. Her score. She likes to play by her own set of rules. But he's the one running the show tonight. His tech. His scheme. His grand design. To what end, she hasn't a clue. Which makes her just a tad bit uncomfortable.
They'd met briefly this morning to go over the blueprints of the museum and to discuss their ideas. He dropped off some gear for her to use. And that was it. Simple, professional, and to the point. She would have preferred to case the job more thoroughly and return at a later date after hours, but seeing that this was a one night only affair, it left their window of opportunity looking more like a peephole.
As for the remainder of the day, Selina spent it debating with herself whether or not she was going to go through with it at all. Not that she's scared about getting caught. She's been in hairier situations before. But working with Edward? Call it a gut feeling, but there's something about this heist that feels off.
Just then, from across the crowded room in all its glittering glory, Selina spots the target she's been searching for. And just like that, all her concerns seem to instantly melt away.
Like a cat stalking its prey, she glides across the floor in languid elegance. Each step slow and confident. Her hips swaying in such a way that makes every warm-blooded male in attendance turn their heads and stare. And from behind his bank of monitors, Edward's one of them. He's always been one of them. Something he can finally admit to himself. He loves watching her work a room.
"How absolutely stunning." The Riddler remarks, watching on the monitor as Selina approaches the headlining exhibit.
"Stunning doesn't even begin to describe it." She purrs in return, eyes fixed upon the large, glittering diamond secured within its case. "Weighing 625.46 carats, it's rumored the Amor diamond was once owned by none other than Cleopatra, herself. It was a gift from her lover, Julius Caesar."
Not to mention, the world's largest faceted diamond. Bought and sold throughout the ages. Passed from one antiquity dealer to another through dark channels. Until finally it was lost to time and myth, becoming somewhat of an urban legend among jewel thieves. And yet, here it is. Glittering beneath the spotlights. Just begging her to reach out and take it. All with only two inches of bullet proof glass and a considerable amount of sensors to stand in her way.
"True." Edward returns, watching as she fawns over the big sparkly rock. "But I wasn't talking about the diamond."
Her body is a masterpiece. A sensual work of art. Dressed in an elegant floor length dress, Selina looks even more breathtaking than any jewel in existence.
Black silk clings to her body like a starless night sky. Edward's eyes follow the deep slit in her gown, exposing one of her long, slender legs. Reminiscing in the way her skin felt beneath his fingertips. So soft and smooth. And warm. His gaze continues to roam, reaching further upward where it comes to a stop at her milky white thigh. Dear God, he'd give anything to reach through the monitor and touch her. To hold her in his arms again and never let her go.
Selina turns her head towards one of the many security cameras and Edward's heart skips a beat. It feels as if she's staring right at him.
"You look so beautiful tonight, Selina." He musters the confidence to speak. "More lovely than words can describe."
His smooth baritone dances in her ears, swaying her head with his words. A faint blush warms Selina's skin as memories of the other night play throughout her mind.
The hair on the back of her neck stands on end as she recalls the feel of his lips against her throat, his hot breath tickling her flesh. Reciting riddles and sweet nothings over and over as he made love to her so deeply. Her whole body thrums with the thrill of desire. A desire that she curses herself for ever feeling for that green-clad villain in the first place.
Embarassed by her body's betrayal, Selina turns away from the camera to hide the secret little smile that has unexpectedly spread across her face. Not that she can truly hide from him. He's got security cameras pointed at her from every which angle. Making her feel almost as if she's under a magnifying glass. Or stuck in one of his many deadly traps. She can only hope that isn't where this night is headed.
"Flirting on the job?" Selina tuts, putting on an act. She tells herself to get ahold of it and shakes off any last remaining images of the two of them together. Their naked bodies writhing on the cold, cement floor. That question mark-shaped scar on his bare chest staring up at her as she rode him into the ground. Hard... "Remember, Eddie. Not a date."
She's not sure who she's trying to convince. Him or her.
"Of course. Business before pleasure." The Riddler quips, blinking away the same wonderful daydreams building behind his glassy eyes. After clearing his throat, he asks, "Are you wearing the contact lenses I gave you?"
A waiter approaches with a tray full of champagne flutes. Nodding in response to Edward's question, she accepts a glass of bubbly and takes a good, healthy sip to help clear her head.
"Good." The Riddler speaks inside her ear. "I'm going to need you to give me a three-sixty scan of the diamond. Nod when you're ready and I'll tell you when to begin."
Selina takes a deep breath and nods. She can hear him typing away intensely from in her earpiece.
"And... GO!" The Riddler exclaims with one final keystroke. "And do try not to blink."
Swallowing down the urge to say something snarky in reply, the Cat sets her sights on the task at hand. Eyes wide, Selina slowly circles the display case, her eyes scanning every detail as Edward's computer program runs in the background.
Arms folded behind his head, Edward bounces in his seat, watching as the progress bar on the computer screen begins to fill. All the while, Selina rounds the diamond like a hungry tiger sizing up its next meal.
After she completes a full circle, the Riddler announces in her ear, "I can be an end to all words but am never spoken." He chuckles at his own silly riddle. "Alright, kitten. You can stop now. I've got everything I need."
Selina blinks and takes another sip of her champagne while Edward begins transferring all the data she's collected from one computer to the souped-up 3D printer on the workstation beside him. More of a replicator, really, the machine is of his very own design. Nobel prize worthy, even. If he weren't using it to forge a priceless diamond. And then steal said priceless diamond. All to impress a girl.
"What now?" Selina whispers as she disappears back into the crowd.
"Now you enjoy yourself. Steal a few wallets if you like." He replies, checking on the progress of the fake diamond being printed. "I need to finish up here, but I'll meet up with you when it's ready. Holler if you run into any trouble."
"Me? Trouble?" The Cat laughs, filling his ears with her sweet symphony.
"Nothing but." Edward grins in return, easing back into his chair. "Going dark now. Riddler out." He concludes, switching off his headset.
Now there's nothing for him to do but wait. That and scrub tonight's video recording.
Sure, he can just erase the camera feed. But that would be too easy. And too conspicuous. If, and it's a big if, the cops decide to go snooping around and check the footage, they'll find nothing amiss. The Riddler runs his AI program and implants scenes of him and Selina having a drink at the bar, dancing to the band, rubbing elbows with their fellow snooty Gothamites. Normal stuff. Like the date that never was.
Looking back at the monitor, Edward's eyes find Selina again. And again his heart aches. He'd give anything to have normal. Anything to have her look at him like she looks at that big dumb rock. Or Bruce Wayne...
Jumping up in his seat, Edward's spine straightens immediately at the sight of him. Tall. Dark. Handsome. And rich. Rich beyond their wildest dreams. Not to mention, a knuckle-dragging neanderthal. So basically, Selina's type.
"Fuck!" The Riddler shouts at his monitors.
Edward's mind races. This was not part of his plan. Tonight was supposed to be his night to wow her. This was his chance to shine. Then this billionaire playboy asshole comes along to steal her attention and sweep her off her feet.
Eyes wild, he quickly stares down at the faux diamond in the process of construction. It still needs about ten more minutes to finish printing.
Ten more minutes of the two of them chatting over hors d'oeuvres. Ten minutes of her gentle laugh and his charming smile. Ten more agonizing minutes of this godforsaken torture. Bruce touches Selina's arm and he has Edward seeing red.
What about your strict no touching rule...
His hand instinctly reaches for the switchblade in his pocket. With every fiber of his being, Ed wants to gouge his fucking eyes out.
But then something unexpected happens. Selina glances at the camera. It's quick. So quick, no one would have noticed if they weren't glued to the screen like he is. But it was there. In that split second, it was as if she was looking right at him again. Selina knows that he's watching. Of course she knows. And she likely also knows he's having one of his epic meltdowns.
You really need to relax, Ed.
He can hear her voice in the back of his head acting as the voice of reason, telling him to get his shit together.
"Breathe breathe breathe breathe breathe..." Edward instructs himself between deep, ragged breathes. Head down, he places his hands on either side of the keyboard and squeezes his eyes shut. With each breath, he forces himself to gain back some shred of composure. Until finally...
DING!
The timer chimes to let him know their decoy diamond is ready for its debut.
"I can't be saved, though people try. When fun is had, they say I fly."
Bathed in the ominous green glow of his computer monitors, the Riddler opens his eyes. Electric green and filled with fire. A menacing grin stretches wide across his narrow face.
It's time.