With a groan, Edward wakes. His back is killing him from sleeping on the floor all night. Or more like the few short hours of rest he'd gotten after his sexcapade with Selina.

And speaking of Miss Kyle, as expected, the Cat is nowhere to be found. Climbing to his feet, Edward does a quick scan of his home to find his assumptions correct. She's gone. And knowing that thieving little minx, she's no doubt left with much more than the contents of his wallet this time.

Reaching for his boxers, Edward tries his best to pretend as if his heart isn't breaking. That he doesn't feel that horrid sinking in his chest, filling with a drowning anger. He tells himself he shouldn't be surprised she's gone. Of course Selina's left him. They always leave, and she's no different.

That lying, thieving, tramp. The next time Edward gets his hands on her, he's going to...

The sound of running water causes Edward's head to snap back towards the bathroom.

"Oh! Sorry, Eddie. I didn't mean to wake you."

Exiting the bathroom, Selina shakes out her damp hair.

"You were out cold, so I figured I'd let you sleep." She calls to him. "Hope you don't mind me using your shower."

Selina gives Edward a quick good morning peck on her way to the kitchen. He's so shocked to see her that he doesn't move a muscle. His gut is still all tied up in knots after thinking that she'd left him high and dry.

"Nice water pressure." She casually comments as she passes. "Better than my safe house, anyway."

Mind blank, his body follows her. One foot in front of the other as if in a trance.

Opening the cabinet beside the sink, Selina pulls two mugs from the top shelf and a spoon from the drawer next to the dishwasher. Her ease of moving around his kitchen makes it obvious she knows her way around.

"I made coffee, by the way."

She pours the fresh pot into the two waiting mugs, handing him the one with the big green novelty question mark on it, while keeping the GCPD mug that he'd lifted after his last stint in the slammer for herself.

"I'm guessing you like yours black?" She assumes as Edward accepts the hot, steamy cup of smooth, delicious life fuel. He takes a long sip and all those nagging tensions seem to instantly melt away.

The mug lingers at his lips as he inhales the glorious aroma. "I love you," he exhales dreamily, not even realizing what he'd said until after he'd already said it.

Staring into the dark reflection of his coffee cup, Edward hopes that perhaps she hadn't heard him. But the soft kiss to his cheek would say otherwise.

With a faint blush and a warm smile on her lips, Selina heads to the fridge to find milk for her coffee.

"You... umm... you sleep well?" Edward tries his hand at some much despised small talk.

"Not bad..." She replies, hopping up onto the counter opposite him. Crossing her legs, she takes a sip of her coffee and grins. "For sleeping on the floor."

Edward chuckles into his mug.

"Guess we were pretty exhausted after... you and I... we..."

Clearing his throat, Edward leans back against the kitchen island. His brain still isn't fully awake and functioning just yet. Otherwise, he'd be able to formulate a proper sentence. Or at the very least say something halfway intelligible.

"You look really nice, by the way." He adds sheepishly.

Selina's dressed herself in his black button-down dress shirt from the night before. Although he's far slimmer in the chest than she is. Her breasts press snuggly against the material. Tight enough that he can just make out the faint outline of her nipples. And with the top three buttons missing, her cleavage looks so absolutely...

Edward takes a big gulp of his coffee, burning the back of his throat.

"Looks like good weather today." He moves his eyes away from her breasts and toward the window.

Perched on the counter like a cat, Selina finds enjoyment in watching Edward suffer his way through a little early morning chitchat. Which may seem a bit mean, but she just can't help herself. He's kinda adorable when he gets all flustered.

There's something so very innocent about him. Dressed in nothing but his underwear and with his auburn red hair all sticking up on the side from sleep, Edward's unbearably cute. And dare she think, even a little attractive. In a foxy, nerdy, sort of way...

Sipping her coffee, Selina sits and silently observes him as the tips of his ears burn bright red under her direct attention.

"About what I said..." Edward begins awkwardly. "When I said I love you... What I really meant..."

He begins scratching at his neck nervously, and that's when Selina stops observing and steps in. Placing down her coffee, she gracefully hops down from the counter to come join him.

"Stop picking, or it'll get infected." Slapping his hand away, she chastises him like a child.

Edward stands perfectly still as Selina carefully removes the Loony Toon bandaids from his neck. She disappears for a moment, and when she returns, she's carrying the medical kit that he keeps in the bathroom closet.

"Question. Do you know where everything is in my home?" Edward wonders as she removes a box of fresh bandages from the kit.

"Your safe is hidden behind the Keith Haring in your bedroom." Selina nonchalantly answers as she lightly spreads the antiseptic ointment over his wounds. "The code is 3.14159."

"That would be a yes." Edward turns to address her, but Selina turns his head right back to the front.

"Stop moving." She reminds while applying the first of several bandaids.

"Yes, dear."Holding his coffee mug to his chest, Edward allows Selina to patch him up without any further fuss. Though out of the corner of his eye, Ed can clearly see her smirking.

"Y'know, you can avoid the claws next time by not aggravating the cat." Selina teases.

"But where's the fun in that?" Edward counters with a grin.

There's something almost maternal about Selina that he'd never noticed before. Sure, she loves her cats. Not to mention, plays mother hen to both Harley and Ivy's antics. But the way that she cares for him, her delicate fingers tending to his injury, Selina shows more concern for his wellbeing than Edward's own mother had in all his young upbringing. That is until she'd skipped out on him and his abusive father...

"They're not deep. Just keep them clean and you'll be fine." Selina assures him.

"Nothing I'm not used to." He shrugs with indifference. "You've scratched me worse before."

"Only because you've deserved it worse before." She gives him a playful shove. "You idiot."

She smells clean from the shower. As close as she is, Edward can tell she's used his shampoo and soap. Which is actually pretty sexy. Animal, even. The fact that she's wearing his scent. A reminder to any tomcats who might come sniffing around of his territory.

"True..." He trails.

Edward wonders if this is what having a girlfriend might be like. Not that he's never had a girlfriend before. He has. Although it's been a while, and his former hench women don't count. It's just that he's never been involved in a serious relationship. Not for long, anyway. And they always end... bloody. But would this even be considered a relationship? Serious, casual, or otherwise? After the events of last night, will they inevitably just go back to fighting one another?

He still has so many questions and not enough answers. A puzzle with a few pieces still so very out of place.

"There." Selina places a big kiss atop the last bandage. "All better."

"I have claw marks on my ass that are also in need of attention." He smirks, returning his mug to his lips.

"Oh, honey, there's not nearly enough money in the world to make me kiss your ass."

She gives him a little swat on the backside, and Edward nearly chokes on his coffee. Rubbing his sore bottom, he scowls at her. With a hauty grin, Selina attempts to return to her spot at the counter, but Edward won't let her escape so easily. He grabs hold of Selina's wrist and reels her back towards him.

"Mmm... Good morning." The Cat purrs as he pulls her in for a kiss.

"Good morning." Edward growls against her lips.

She drapes her arms around his shoulders as Ed engulfs her in his kiss.

"Riddle me this." He begins with a grin. "What holds your buns firmly and makes them full and round?"

His hands round out her voluptuous backside, giving it a good squeeze as he presses her body tightly to his.

"I should really be going." She moans as he begins nibbling at her neck. "I need to get home to feed the cats."

"Not before I feed my kitty cat."

Holding Selina in his arms, he can feel her pull away.

"Your kitty cat?" She emphasizes with a hiss in her tone.

"Yes?" He wonders with a puzzled expression. "Did I say something wrong?"

The air between them suddenly freezes over as the mood goes sour.

"Look, Edward... Just because I let you pet the kitty, don't assume you own me." Selina lays it down, plain and simple. "I'm not a house cat. I don't belong to you. Or anyone."

"Got it." Ed defends, raising his hands in defense.

He's got to admit, that stung a little. More than a slap to his cat-scratched behind.

So, according to Selina, this was a casual encounter. Not the answer he was hoping for, but it's an answer to his question, nonetheless. Not that he's discouraged.

What is always in front of you, but can not be seen?

The Cat may not be his now, but he's sure to catch her yet. Despite however long it takes. The Riddler always loves a challenge.

"Sooo..." Edward trails, breaking the awkward silence. "Pancakes?"

"I'm going to go." Selina counters in a dull tone.

"Right..."

Crossing his arms at his chest, Edward purses his lips into a pout. He doesn't bother turning to watch as she gathers her things and heads for the exit. Just stands his ground, eyes glued to her coffee mug, still hot, sitting on the counter.

Cats are skittish by nature, the Riddler reminds himself. He came on too strong, and Selina did what she does best. She ran. But he's no Bat. He's not going to chase her. Not this time, anyway.

"If she hollers, let her go." Edward mutters to himself, listening to the faint click of a door closing somewhere.

Deep in thought, he takes a good, long sip of his coffee.

You can't force a cat to do something it doesn't want. Just as he can't make Selina love him. But maybe, just maybe, with the right clues and a little bit of planning, maybe he can earn her love, yet.