Ed Nygma

     Despite his doubts, her father was right; Emeli could be ruthless and methodical when it came to achieving her goals, much like her father, but she had grown to have a much softer, giving side that undoubtedly came from Lee. She didn’t have any fancy powers that would help her save lives and so she thought she would do whatever she was capable of. Donating blood was simply one small way that she could indirectly help somebody else who needed it. “Oh” Emeli nodded, realizing now that it made more sense that her mother was home. Something about the way the woman tensed up whenever her father would come up in conversation told her that she was unlikely to leave the baby alone with him if she had another option. “Kind of scared to ask this…but do you seriously just have a syringe lying around?” Emeli rose her brows, unsure if she was unnerved or impressed. “Let’s do it” She couldn’t take the way he was staring at her much longer. 

“Since she’s asleep, I’m going to have to ask you to keep your voice down when we leave the room. I’ve done enough to bother her today. I really can’t add to the list.” He admitted with a sigh. Lee wasn’t used to disposing a body and with his hand so out of commission, she had to do most of the work. Not that he’d tell her that. Even if this Emeli was their daughter, it was something she didn’t need to know. “She does. Lee keeps a healthy amount of medical supplies at home. She just practically surgery on my hand here. So, I really don’t doubt that she has a fresh one we can use.” He said, giving his baby one last quick look before walking past her to the door and gesturing for her to follow him out of the nursery. 

“Well, if anyone asks, I have absolutely no idea what you’re talking about.” Oswald said with a smile, carefully tracking Edward’s movements with a weary gaze. He knew that it was very unlikely that Edward would just kill him right now, but letting his defenses down in the past ended up poorly for him. Oswald scrunched his nose and hunched a bit over as he tried to weigh his options. He was always slightly soft for Edward, even in the beginning when they were living together in Edward’s apartment. And Oswald, even with his rigorous upkeep of who owed him favors, had no idea where Edward ranked on that list. Surely attempted murder knocked him down a few pegs, but Oswald did retaliate- “Let’s just clear the slate. I’m sure there are many favors owed on both sides. We were always more powerful when we shared equal footing, weren’t we?”

“Of course, I’d never tell on you and I doubt anyone would ask. It was Crane who made such a public display about it.” He chuckled. Oswald liked to do things quietly, within the shadows. Paying people off or sneakily manipulating whoever he needed to to get things done. In that sense, they were polar opposites but it was something he appreciated about the man. Placing Oswald’s green tea in front of him and blowing the steam off his own. He listened for Oswald’s take on his question. Feeling the tug of a toothless grin on his face when he finally said they’d clear the slate. “Yes, we always were.” He agreed, bringing his hands up and threading his fingers together before leaning his chin against them. He took Oswald in. It had been a long time since the two of them were friends. In fact, it had been a while since he’d even seen him. “Now that we’ve got that all settled. How’ve you been lately? Anything new and exciting?” 

Lucius frowned as Ed spoke, feeling an odd sort of pang in his chest. He was not a man accustomed to verklempt emotions, but Edward had always brought out strong feeling in him. “Edward, you needed that help,” he said gently. “And I suspect that you still do.” He watched him pace, clearly suffering from some sort of internal struggle, and he waited, hoping that Edward would turn to him. He truly did just want to help the man in front of him. He frowned slightly as Edward turned back to him, looking up into his face. “You can trust me,” he said, although he had a feeling the words would fall on deaf ears. He did work for the GCPD, after all. Many people in this city thought this a valid reason not to trust him, and Edward had more of a grudge to bear against the police department than most. 

“That help?” Edward repeated Lucius’s words. “You think Arkham helps people like me?” He scoffed. “I can’t believe you- No, you know what. If you can’t see what that place is by now, there’s no point in trying to explain it to you.” He said with a deep sigh. Every word was over exaggerated. Spat out like a bad taste in his mouth but his mannerisms were closed off for once. Arms crossed tightly together. Hunched a bit like he was smaller. His words screamed The Riddler while his body revealed the pathetic truth. Finally, he lowered his tone. “I... don’t know that I can. You worked for Wayne Enterprises and Hugo Strange made it clear to me that there’s a connection between them and the group that’s been trying to puppeteer me.” 

"I'm fairly certain Ms. Barbara Kean would rather kill me for what I did to her daughter then..." Edward gestured vaguely in front of himself. "That." He said sternly. "Not to mention we might have a familial connection... so absolutely not. No to every Barbara. Pass."

“You could say that again,” Theo would be content if he never so much as looked at that fear gas for the rest of his life. Never again was far too soon. “Gas was probably optimal for the creator’s purpose,” He noted absently to himself. Gas impossible to escape after all. Though they could have achieved the same harsh, or harsher, results if they’d infected a water supply or some kind of food supply. That was guaranteed as much as gas though they wouldn’t have been to so easily trace the source. The title ‘The Riddler’ wasn’t just for show, Edward knew what he was talking about and Theo listened. He was an eager learner and what Ed spoke of wasn’t just educational but actively effected his life, it would pay off to learn about. “So that’s why some people were worked into a frenzy while others became a mess.” It made sense (a wonderful amount of sense actually, Theo was typically deeply curious so the answers satisfied him). “Shit.” He cursed as Ed mentioned being under the effects as well. So they both knew from personal experience it wasn’t something to look at faintly. “Glad you survived.” He offered though he didn’t know if it would mean anything to the man (his brother). Admittedly Theo was somewhat surprised at the apology, he hadn’t expected it. Heck, acknowledgement of his preference at all besides a simple got it was more then he was used to. “Thank you.” He responded sincerely, appreciating the effort of apology and acknowledgement. “Ed it’ll be.” He returned, mentally kicking Edward out and replacing it with Ed.

Of all he’d heard about ‘the Riddler’ and even from what he’d seen of him in Arkham, Ed was nothing like Theo would have thought. He had reserved judgement until he got to know the man better, but despite preconceived notion and logical wariness he found himself enjoying the man’s presence. He liked his brother. Huh. Cool. In all honesty he hadn’t thought too much about the prison break sans his own ‘congratulations’. “Yeah, I understand where you come from.” He hadn’t been on the police’s ‘happy list’ more then once. Luckily by the time he’d become old enough to be held accountable he learned how to get the hell out of dodge, or if he had enough luck on his side, not get caught. “No police connections.” He promised, he considered mentioning his own record but anything serious that they knew of got expunged when he turned 18. Maybe he’d tell him later. “And I’ve never even held a gun before, so I wouldn’t know where to start in a fight.” It wasn’t perfect reassurance, not even insurance. “I don’t know what to say or do for you to believe me, all I got is my word so…” So he had nothing to truly offer. Only his sincerity and a promise. “Ed, there is no intention in my mind to see you behind bars again.” a bit sheepish he added. “I was actually hoping to get to know you more so if anything it’d be counterproductive so…” So yeah. 

.

Theo mentioned that he was glad he survived and Edward scoffed softly, “Of course I did. It’s not like it was ever in question.” Trying to mask how he really felt behind a familiar wall of arrogance. The same tone that tended to get him in a lot of trouble- but it was better to sound arrogant and in control instead of weak. Like he had been in that cell. He could still recall how the air thickened with dread. Taking it in as if he’d been letting in water instead of air. Choking on the feeling. The way his mind fogged and his legs buckled beneath his weight. Stumbling to and fro as he struggled to gain control over his own head. His father’s form had appeared to him like it was real. Becoming taller like a shadow on the wall the closer you got to it- or more accurately- the closer he got to you. Hands outstretched reaching towards his neck. Fingers longer and sharper than they should have been resembling that of claws. Whispers in several voices, some he recognized as his victims. All mumbling the same thing. Over and over. 

Cheater. Cheater. Cheater. 

Edward shook off the memory as if it was physically weighing on him now and let out a soft breath. Trying to recall what the air tasted like when it was free of the Scarecrow’s toxins. He easily accepted the name change and Ed felt grateful. Not everyone cared about his preferences. In fact, this kind of treatment was rare. He reached up and pushed his glasses further back. Trying to hide a bashful expression at Theo’s sign of respect towards him as a person. “Oh, you do?” That made things easier. If he had a record. Ed was able to gather some information behind Arkham’s enforced walls but he didn’t know Theo had a record or a grudge against police. “That does make me feel a bit better.” He revealed to him. “Well, in a city like Gotham- you should really learn how to handle a gun.” Ed told him seriously. Genuine advice towards someone who was supposedly his family. He seemed sincere that he didn’t want to see him behind bars again and he blinked at him. His dark eyes almost challenging Theo’s. “Do you know what I’ve done at all? Do you care to know?” 

Lucius studied him for a moment, a frown lending even more solemnity to his face than usual. He hadn’t visited Edward in Arkham because he simply assumed he’d be getting in the way – that Dr. Thompkins would be the one filling the visitor’s chair. It seemed that he was incorrect on that front, but then again, there was that charming expression about what happens when one assumes. “A mistake still has motivation behind it,” he said. “Edward, if you are in any sort of danger, I want to help you.” 

“If your idea of help is anything like the last time you offered it then no thank you.” Edward nearly spat. Venom coating his tone as if his tongue was bathing in it. Spinning on his heels, Edward took a few paces away from his old friend (and occasional intellectual opponent) before turning back with an irritated groan. Pacing in front of him like a wild animal struggling with his own nature. His hands still up near his head as he thought. Lucius had once suggested that he get professional mental help but that wasn’t at all what he needed right now. He was in real danger. He could practically feel the talons of an owl swooping down and barely scraping at his skin. Toying with him like he was a mouse. All at once he stopped pacing and placed his face in his hands. Defeated. “I just... I don’t know who to trust.” 

     Admittedly, she had been expecting the request for a paternity test to come up, she simply hadn’t expected her father to be extreme enough about it to request - no - demand to do it himself. She wasn’t afraid of needles, though, so she saw no harm in letting him collect the sample if it was going to satiate him. “Fine. I give blood a lot so it’s not like it’s a big deal” Emeli shrugged. “Am…I supposed to be showing you now or should we wait until M-Lee gets home?” she asked. She wasn’t sure if he would want to bring baby her along. 

“You give blood a lot? ...You must have gotten that from your mother.” Ed wasn’t really the giving type himself. This city could burn and he wouldn’t so much as blink. Even when he wasn’t the Riddler. The citizens of Gotham proved to him time and time again that they didn’t deserve his kindness. Lee was the exact opposite and apparently their daughter (theoretically) cared enough to give blood. “She is home. She’s just... laying down. She had a long night. You can show me later... but I’ll take your blood now.” 

Lee nodded when he asked if she was sure. Truthfully, she wanted no part in this at all. If she could treat it like her work, things would be so much easier, but she couldn’t. There was no way to alleviate the stress this was putting on her. Even now, before she’d made the first real incision, she knew that the trauma of this night would live with her for the rest of her life. What she and Ed had now, had gone from a real, true love, to something far more sinister. He might not have been able to see it yet, but this night was a turning point for them. This was the start of something toxic and dangerous. The way she’d do anything for him, and the vice versa. Love was supposed to be warm and welcoming, but this felt dark and cold. Lee no longer felt butterflies when he looked at her or moved closer – instead, she felt the thrill of being on edge. Never knowing whether it was going to be Ed or the Riddler who was paying her a visit. She was consumed by the spine chilling sensation of not knowing if he was there to finally finish what they had once and for all, or be the man she’d fallen in love with. 

The way his lips felt against her own was indescribable. It was comforting and terrifying at the same time. Part of her wanted to wrap her arms around his neck and pull him closer, but the sane part of her brain was telling her to pull away before things went too far. When Ed broke the kiss, she drew in a deep breath to calm her racing heart. His gloating hit her like a freight train, and she suddenly realised what she’d done. Lee had given him hope, made him believe that she wanted him back. “Of course I still love you, Ed. You’re the father of our baby. There will always be a part of me that loves you.” It was the truth, the feelings she had for him still lingered. It was just that she was smart enough to know that she shouldn’t act on them. Or at least, she was, until tonight. “Yes, let’s.” She’d do anything to get the focus off of what she’d just done. After cracking her neck, she picked up the scalpel again, making the first incision. It was precise and neat, despite her hand trembling ever so slightly. This isn’t Jim, it’s just a random body, she kept telling herself. “I suppose I’m going to need the saw now…” Grabbing the gin, she took another swig. 

.

He had no idea just how far Lee’s loyalty had gone for him not until now as she agreed to go against her very nature for him. To ensure he wouldn’t go back to Arkham again. No one would see this for what it was- self defence. Everyone thought he was a monster but he was only doing what he needed to do to protect his family. Who knew what might have happened to them if he wasn’t there. He gave her a smile, moving some of his red speckled skin. The day he told Kristen about Tom, this was what he’d been hoping for. Acceptance and understanding. Lee wasn’t scared of him. She knew that he had to do it. 

Of course I still love you, Ed. She said as if it had never been under question at all. She seemed beyond angry with him when she took the Arkham position and part of him thought that they were over and it was done. Especially since officially; they were. “I love you too, Lee.” He told her. Just in case she needed to hear it too. Even if it seemed obvious. “This is the last time I’ll do anything like this, I swear.” He promised, thinking it would be. He had himself under control for a long time before the Court of Owls became involved and he could do it again. Especially if it meant being with her. Being a family. It was all he ever wanted. So, why did he hear the dark laugh of his other self echoing within the room? Like what he’d just said was nothing but a joke to him. You really shouldn’t make promises you can’t keep.

Nodding his head at her words, he reached over for her and grabbed the saw with his good hand. Offering it to her with a small smile, as if he was proud to be helping her out. Like a cat giving it’s owner a dead mouse. “Here. Would you like me to hold the arm still for you while you..?” He made a sawing gesture with the saw in his hand instead of speaking it out loud.

     “I’d have been kind of disappointed if you did, honestly” she shrugged gently, unphased. It wasn’t out of character for him to need proof, she just wasn’t sure what she could give him. She had an ID in her purse but those were so easily faked these days that he’d probably laugh at her and she wasn’t sure she could stomach being ridiculed by the man she’d put on a pedestal from such a small age. “You…can see what’s left of it?” she pulled a face. “But I wasn’t really supposed to tell anybody about any of this so I’m sure you can understand that you can’t tell anyone” she urged. “We’re missing important parts” Parts that didn’t exist here in the past. “But I can show you what she’s managed to reconstruct if it will satisfy you, yes”

Edward paused as if he was thinking about it. “Yeah, that’ll do. Who’s to tell?” He said after a moment. We need more then just that. For once that side of him was right. He couldn’t go in blindly with something so serious. She was claiming to be his daughter. From the future, no less. “I’ll also need a blood sample... and I need to be the one to take it.” He’d ask Lee to, but he didn’t really want to ask her to do anything after that ordeal. Ed was also trained in medicine. He was studying to become the M.E. back when he was still in the GCPD and it was something that he kept with. His knowledge was more based around corpses and how to handle them, but he knew basic medicine as well. 

Lee was almost certain that she wouldn’t be able to get through this. Her determination didn’t matter – not when she was picturing her ex-boyfriend on the ground. It felt like it was him she was cutting into, even if it was all in her head. The human brain was so very complex, and she could tell herself over and over that it wasn’t real, but it didn’t make it feel any less traumatic. Ed wanted to do this as quickly as possible, and that wasn’t going to happen if she kept letting her feelings get in the way. At one point, she would’ve loved nothing more than for James Gordon to be the corpse. After he’d shot Mario, she spent such a long period of time resenting him and believing he deserved to suffer. But now? Now, things were different. They’d managed to get past their problems and… Well, the rest didn’t matter. Not when the father of her child and ex-fiancé would murder Jim for so much as daring to talk to her most of the time. The memory of Ed trying to crush his chest because he felt insecure entered her mind, and she almost snapped the scalpel in half, dark veins appearing beneath her eyes. Get it together, Lee. Calm down.

After taking a deep breath to relax herself, she nodded when Ed gestured for her to place the scalpel down. The blood coating the sharp tip made her feel uncomfortable. When he asked for her hand, she swallowed thickly and let him take it in his own. A wave of guilt crashed over her, almost drowning her. He was trying to comfort her and make her feel better, and she’d lied to him about why she was struggling so much. Her head felt so full that it might explode. So many memories and feelings overwhelming her. “Ed, I… No, I can do it.” The last thing she wanted was to look weak in front of the Riddler. If he saw her as anything but a strong threat, he might kill her out of possessiveness, without Ed even realising what was happening. Him being so good to her was making this so much worse. Taking her hand back from his, she reached up and touched her palm to his cheek. Lee needed the guilt to lessen, she couldn’t cope with it on top of what she was feeling whenever she stared at Gary’s corpse. Kissing him would even out what she’d done, wouldn’t it? Leaning in, she pressed her lips to Ed’s in a hard, selfish kiss. 

.

“Are you sure?” Ed asked her. His hand in hers, squeezing it gently as a sign that he was there for her. Even if she didn’t love him back anymore. He’d spend eternity devoted to her. She may not be completely comfortable with getting back together with him yet, but it wasn’t like she was running off dating other people. That meant he had a chance. Her heart still held a torch for him and he’d do anything to keep it from going out. You’re pathetic. He could hear the voice in his mind as clear as day. Mocking him like it always had. He knew that the stronger part of him would always hate his need to be loved but that hardly mattered to him right now. Lee let go of his hand and he cocked his head. Only smiling when he felt her fingers graze his skin. His heart pounded when she leaned in. Kissing him. The familiar feeling of her soft lips on his almost have him butterflies. Making him forget, for just a moment about the cold, dark reality around them. 

When he pulled back only slightly from her, his lips were drawn into a wide grin. “I knew you still loved me.” He said it as if he had someone to prove it to. Like he was a bragging child who’d just won himself a game. Gloating about his victory. His prize. He moved his hand up and pushed back a tuft of her hair behind her ear. “I knew it.” Spellbound by her kiss, he lingered close to her face. Craving more attention from her. Putting the corpse aside in his mind for a minute. He didn’t matter. He never did. It was just some guy. Some creep who wanted Lee’s affections when they belonged to him. They were meant to be together. From the beginning, he’d always liked her. The smell of her perfume. How pretty and how kind she was. Even to him. The loser no one liked. After a long pause, basking in their closeness. He finally spoke again. “Shall we get back to work?” 

“I suppose we do.” Oswald said, making his way to one of the few clean and open seats he saw. He should be used to Edward’s… unique way of organizational chaos by this point, but it almost seemed welcoming after the bleak, spartan way that Blackgate operated. Reminded him of Edward brining an injured Oswald back to his apartment, and helping him get better. Restoring his wings, sort to say. And then everything happened, and they hated each other. And even after years and years of trying to one up each other, then they both ended up locked up. Which made Oswald realize a lot of things.

Mostly, that his feelings towards Edward would never be returned in full. they might have been once, but now, it was impossible. Too much history. Too much… Oswald going in and mucking it all up. After Edward ruined it first. There was no way that Oswald could worry about Edward and what he was doing while trying to run his empire. He could do friends. He could manage that.

“How was Arkham? As dank and depressing as ever?”

“It was as it always has been.” He replied, his back turned to his friend. Memories of years of Arkham’s torment flashed through his mind. The patients were easily enough to handle. Their brains so simple to crack. Like a child’s puzzle. But the staff were different. Arkham welcomed a new staff, but it seemed there was no shortage of readily available brutes to hire. Even after firing the old abusive guards for publicity sake. Taking city’s money and promising to change. The only reason he didn’t have as many electrotherapy sessions was because of Lee. A force of good, getting temporarily hired as a therapist. “So very crude and unpleasant.” After setting up the kettle, Ed turned to face his old friend. Making his way back over to him and taking a seat across from him. “Thank you for your part in orchestrating my escape.” Ed stated, a small smile on his lips. “But I am curious about something. Will you be expecting a favour? Or should I think of it as your hand, extending out to mine in friendship?” He was expecting a favour. Oswald was one of the only people who truly recognized his potential and his intellect. For that reason, he was sure that he’d want to keep him on his side. Or, perhaps if Oswald had his way- serving beneath him. 

Lee felt a sharp ache in her chest when Ed admitted that she was the only person he’d wanted to celebrate Thanksgiving with. It was moments like these where she second guessed herself. Had she made the right choice by calling off their engagement? Was she even being fair to him? The Court of Owls had been the ones to order the hit on Dick. It wasn’t as if Ed had thought of it by himself. Without them asking, he would’ve probably never turned back to his life as the Riddler. Her brow furrowed when he started talking to the other him. As quickly has the doubts had filled her mind, they disappeared. She was right to call things off. Things could never be the same as they’d been before. He’d changed. Once Emeli was facing away from them, Lee felt marginally better. At least their daughter wasn’t about to witness her parents committing a violent act. At the mention of Tom, her shoulders tensed, and she reached for the scalpel. Her grip on it was tight as she tried not to think about the second time he’d done this. She could easily end up in the same position. Especially if he found out about her going to dinner with Jim. That was a secret she’d have to keep, he could never know about it. Looking down at the body, she noticed that Ed’s hand was bleeding through his makeshift bandage. “You’re losing a lot of blood,” she commented, scalpel digging into the flesh he’d pointed at. Closing her eyes, she began to slice, keeping her hand steady. She was well practiced at this part, so she knew she wouldn’t slip up if she didn’t look. Much to her horror and surprise, a vivid image of Jim Gordon being the one laying on her floor instead of Gary flashed through her mind. Her heart began to race and her hand slipped. “I…” she breathed out, eyes opening. “Sorry. I’m just… it’s a little more difficult than I anticipated.” Lee wanted to throw down the scalpel and make a run for it, and she hadn’t even made a dent in what she had to do. Her mind was trying to warn her, trying to make her see that she could never be with anyone who wasn’t Ed. He wouldn’t allow it, he’d kill whoever so much as thought about taking her on a date. Her hand began to shake as she continued her work. “It’s just the injury,” she lied. “I’ve used my hand a lot today.”

.

Watching her go for the scalpel, he took note of the discomfort on her face. He was never great at reading other people’s emotions. It was something he just couldn’t quite get a grasp on, but it was obvious she was struggling. Even before she’d started. She was gripping her tool like her life depended keeping a hold of it. She pointed out that he was losing a lot of blood and he pulled his hand back. Applying pressure on it again. “Don’t worry about it right now. Just focus on the task at hand. If we move quickly, it’ll be over a lot faster.” He studied the way she cut into the skin with surgical precision. Admiring it. She was always an incredible doctor. He couldn’t help but feel a bit bad that he’d put her in this position. It wasn’t something she was meant to be doing. She was a healer, it was why he loved her so much. Endeared by the way she cared about other people. Lee put everything into treating other people and now she was dismembering someone for him. I shouldn’t have done this to her. He thought. 

Right, because you could have handled it with one hand? Riddler taunted him, walking around the body to her side of it. His eyes tracking the hallucination as moved over to Lee. Leaning over her and watching as she worked. Hands pressed behind his back. If you didn’t ‘love’ her so much, she wouldn’t be in this mess at all. She wouldn’t be cleaning up after your- might I add- SLOPPY job. 

He bit his tongue, trying to stop himself from retorting. If he hadn’t been here something could have happened to her. This creep could have done something to both of them. When Lee finally spoke again, he brought his gaze off of his hallucination and focussed himself on her. Watching as she struggled. She said it was difficult, but she’d hardly done anything yet. “Okay.” He said after a moment, gesturing for her to put down her tool. Getting up and taking a step with his long legs over the body before settling down right beside her instead. “Give me your hand.” He said taking pressure off his damaged one and taking hers instead. Having a look at the scarring along the skin before looking back into her eyes. “It’s going to be okay, Lee. Just, take a breath. Do you need me to start this for you?”