#riddlefox

Edward Nygma didn't get sick. At least that's what he kept telling himself as he stumbled back to his base, in the pouring rain, after hiding sixty new trophies for his dark duchess to find. It had started with a slight cough, which progressed to chest pain and shivering. Then, finally, his body seemed to give out. Every cough brought up a disgusting mucus, and he was so exhausted as though he'd been going up against Batman single-handed. With a groan, he collapsed in a massive puddle, just meters from the base.

Catherine Burke AKA Flying Fox was heading home when she spotted a familiar green figure, not moving.

For a second, her heart stopped. The rain was so heavy that it hurt as it pounded against her armor, so what on Earth was the Riddler doing out in this weather?

Gliding down with her wingsuit, Foxy approached cautiously. It could be a trap and she had to be prepared for any potential opponents coming out of nowhere to attack her. As she moved closer, Foxy noticed that Edward was soaked through and shivering violently. Once she was certain that the area was clear, Fox knelt beside her adversary a gently touched his shoulder.

"Riddler? Can you hear me?.... Eddie!"

When Edward didn't react to her touch, Catherine resorted to shaking him slightly, trying her best not to hurt him. Eventually, Edward opened his eyes wearily with a groan that broke off into a whimper. He tried to speak but no sound came out. Seeing the terrible state he was in, Catherine gathered his shaking form into her arms and carried him towards his base.

Within an hour, Fox had removed Edward's sopping clothes, carefully dried him off and made him comfortable on his makeshift bed before rushing to the Strider and driving towards Gotham General Hospital. At the front desk, the vigilante explained Riddler's symptoms to a very helpful nurse. She could have just taken Eddie to Arkham But after her unpleasant meetings with Dr. Syns she decided to let him recover where he'd be most relaxed.

The Nurse explained that Riddler most likely had a severe bout of pneumonia. She scribbled down a prescription for the patient, and also suggested that Foxy should also purchase some Paracetamol and Ibuprofen to help with the chest pain and fever.

After the leaving the hospital, Cathy ditched her uniform and dressed in more casual clothes to go shopping at the closest supermarket. She phoned Alfred on the way and he listed various foods and recipes that would help with Riddler's recovery. Before long, Cathy left the shop with two bags filled with cans of soup, two boxes of tea - one normal and the other, herbal. Alfred had offered to drop by with a few meals for Cathy to heat up.

Back at the base Catherine entered, once again dressed in her uniform, and put away the groceries. Just as she was finishing up, Foxy heard loud whimpering and muttering coming from upstairs. She hurried up and pushed open the door to Eddie's room where the patient was thrashing around on his bed, sweat dripping from his forehead. "No, father... I didn't!" Riddler almost sobbed, clutching the blanket covering him. "I... I didn't cheat! I swear I didn't!"

Foxy felt her heart break at Riddler's distress. She'd heard about his troubling childhood and about the awful father who had beaten him for cheating. But by the sound of it, Edward hadn't cheated at all. Removing her gloves, Foxy pushed back his damp hair and murmured soothingly. "Shhh, shhhh. It's okay, Edward. I'm here now"

Gradually, Eddie's feverish mumblings quietened and he was soon sleeping soundly. While waiting for Eddie to wake up, Foxy sat in a rickety wooden chair beside his bed and tried solving one of his puzzle books. It was late at night by the time Edward stirred and slowly opened his eyes. He took in his surroundings, soon realized that he was in his in his room in his base, not a cell at Arkham. He was suddenly aware of someone holding his hand and as he nervously looked over, he was stunned to see the dark duchess herself dozing in a seat. He cleared his throat and Foxy jolted awake. "Eddie, you're awake" she exclaimed.

She helped him sit up and drink a little from a bottle of water. After heating up and feed him some chicken soup, Foxy watched as Eddie settled back down into his blanket.

"Why?" Foxy jumped a little at his sudden question. "Why did you help me, dark duchess?" "Because I could see you needed help, and it's my job to help people" Foxy answered simply.

For a while Edward was silent, until he murmured, "Thank you" Then his expression hardened, "But don't go thinking this makes us friends, Duchess. Once I have recovered from this ailment, I will return to my workshop. I shall build a trap so brilliant that not even you shall escape!"

Despite the threat, Foxy smiled. "I'm looking forward to it, Eddie" "Don't call me that! Why don't you start looking for my trophies instead. I've planted some new ones just for you"

Fox was reluctant to leave but decided that she would sneak in later and make sure that Eddie was taking his medicines and getting enough rest.