A Mutant Stripped [Nina]

[Deleted]

He almost interrupted her when he said he could be captured and used against her, but she quickly shut him up with the Batman comment. Batman might have captured him, but it was only because he provided the clues. If Edward provided no riddles he doubted the Batman would have any idea where to look. He would play the Bat for a fool, but if he didn't provide the riddle there would be no challenge. Edward had to have the challenge. It defeated the purpose if everything was simple and easy. He needed to be pushed.

He looked at Nina. It was probably the very same reason he felt these emotions for her. He challenged him, and while it infuriated him on a daily basis he was drawn to it like a moth to a flame. He needed the challenge, and like all challenges, he would prevail. Even if his tongue felt tied in knots at the moments as he debated how to handle his wounded ego. He couldn't be captured and used like a princess in distress. First of all, he was a man! Not some pathetic woman!

His mind flashed to the few times Batman had thrown him over his shoulders and Edward swatted the man's back probably similarly to how a woman would react to a large man grabbing her, but all that was besides the point! He was a man who could take care of himself. He was reminded of Hush. He visibly flinched. His face had been shoved against a moving fan after all of his fingers were broken and he was thrown off a roof. That had hurt. He had to beg the Joker to help him. But as always he found away out of it. He always did.

"Have you ever felt true physical pain before?" he asked, knowing that why she might have visibly seen it with her power she had probably never felt the extent of it he had.

[Nina Stenet]

Unsure of how Edward will take her words, Nina watches his reactions very carefully. In a way, she actually likes the arrogance with which he approaches everything, and she doesn't like to have to step on his ego. But she can't let his ego get in the way of her will, and if he doesn't give her a nice way to resolve that then she has to do it in a way that's less pleasant for both of them. When she sees him flinch at his thoughts, she frowns apologetically - not that she's about to take back anything she said, but because she's sorry that she felt the need to say it.

The frown fades slightly at his question, and Nina's eyebrows lift in mild surprise. "No," she answers instantly, wondering at it but unable to determine his reason for asking. While if she'd been asked that question by some random stranger off the street she might be able to make a case for herself, but when it's Edward asking she knows she can't compare.

The most physical pain she's experienced was actually when she was shot, and yet she knows that Edward's been through far worse without needing to be told. Beyond simply knowing just how much pain his leg gives him, she's seen his scars and can tell what most of them mean - at least when it comes to what sort of injury was involved if not the story behind it. Hers, on the other hand, are few, small, and old save for the ones from the surgery - even despite the fact that it isn't her normal practice to prevent them like with her wrist. She really has been one to keep herself out of trouble, at least until recently.

"Of course, for me physical pain is optional," she reminds him, "Instantly with warning; after few seconds without." But though that ability is really something, her tone indicates that the thought of having to use it is actually a bit sobering. If she ever has to remove her own ability to feel pain, that's a definite sign that she's nowhere that she'd ever want to be. All the same, that she's able to do it means that she doesn't need to fear ending up in that situation as much as most people.

[Deleted]

He nodded at her response. Her power was her shield he realized. She fears nothing because she believes her power is superior to all. She will get hurt that way. He knows she will get hurt, but he can't convince her. She was too stubborn. "Let me run through a hypothetical with you, my dear," he said with that same exhausted tone he had before. It really was exhausting running constantly into a brick wall.

"You are drugged, by surprise, either from a man or woman coming from behind when your distracted or possibly just hot boxed through the vents. Nonetheless, you are drugged and your mind is made sluggish. You no longer are abel to control the things you used too. Now imagine with me dear, a person with no other intentions but to make you feel pain. They start easy, maybe a punch in the face or the gut. It will lead to kicks. Then they decide to be a bit more creative. They start pulling out your fingernails. One by one. Then they start breaking joints, but at this point your barely have a sense of your surrounding. You feel two things: fear and pain. It they really want to have some fun, they will slowly torch the skin with a flame until it bubbles. Not killing, but definitely painful. And when you feel their hands wrapped around your throat," he said coldly lifting his hand up almost to her throat, "you think for a moment, thank god, maybe it will end...maybe they will kill me. But as you suffocate for air, they release to give you that needed supply...and then they do it again."

His hand feel back to his side. "I know these type of people. I have dealt with them. Is it so horrible of me to not want you to feel that type of pain? I understand you believe you can stop them, but trust me, you can't."

He paused, his eyes falling down as he tried to think of the best way to put his next words. He finally managed to pull them back to her face. "If you continue to disregard what I say, I will not be there to save you from what your actions lead too. I don't have time to waste on such things that could have been avoided in the first place. So when you are feeling that horrible pain....you will have no one. Can you handle that? Can you take responsibilities for your own actions?"

[Nina Stenet]

As Edward explains his hypothetical situation, Nina forces herself not to argue with it. A part of her is skeptical about it: she's not sure exactly what the range is between when she would be too drugged to use her power well, too drugged to be able to do anything at all, and too drugged to care about whatever some sadist is doing to her. But Edward isn't interested in hearing her poke holes in the idea, he wants it considered and answered.

And as he explains it in so much detail, she's obviously bothered by the thought, but then again who wouldn't be? A frown crosses her face at the questions, not liking to consider them. A part of her questions why they need to be considered at all, but she reminds herself that Edward wouldn't be asking if it wasn't important to him and that's enough for her. "Of course it's not horrible of you to not want that," she starts, having to work just a little to keep her voice calm, "Do you think it doesn't bother me to know that you know that kind of person? Do you think that I don't want to beg you to keep away from that? But I'll never ask you that. And not because I have any blind faith in your ability to avoid it."

"But know that I don't have any blind faith in myself either," she adds, eyes not deviating from his face, "I know that I have weaknesses, blindspots, a list - short but substantial - of things that I can't do or do anything about. And I know that can be used against me. I know that there are people out there who can and would figure it out and use that to hurt me for no better reason than wanting to do it. I know that by simply being around you I'm much more likely to meet them. But I've had so many chances and so many reasons to say no. And I haven't. There's a difference between being ignorant and inexperienced, and blind and stupid, Edward. When I decided that I want you in my life, I knew what that meant. So whatever happens, it's on my head - I understand that. And you won't hear me blaming anyone else. And I never have and I never will expect you or anyone else to rescue me, because if that's where I end up, then it's my fault that I'm there."

If anything, Nina's the type to take too much responsibility for her own actions. But then, she's guessing that the real problem is that Edward's realizing even more that when you love someone you can't help but blame yourself if something happens to them. And while she can empathize with that - she knows that she'd blame herself if anything happened to Edward - she's not going to limit herself to only doing what Edward thinks is safe enough. Especially since she knows that she's not going to get the same in return.

[Deleted]

This entire conversation was becoming pointless. Nina wasn't going to listen to him. She said she wanted to take responsibility for her actions. She said she could...but. How could he let her stupidly walk into something that could harm her or him? She's going to be the death of him. He had no doubt as that final conclusion settles. He had thought of that ever since the beginning of this thing with Nina. It was the very reason he considered her a weakness.

His hand tightened on his cane. She was either going to get hurt or he was going to get sent back to Arkham. Joy. What wonderful outcomes? Why couldn't she just stay in this apartment like a beautiful glass doll? You pull it out to play on those rare occasion, but then you put it back up in the safety of it's box. It never faces danger, but you still enjoy it.

"Fine," he stated in exhausted voice, "I don't care. Do what you want." He turned away from her. He wanted to leave. He had things to focus on like his new riddle. Riddles were the true constant in his life. After he solved one he found another. After he created one he could always make another. They might have been a challenge, but they were always solved. He could solve anything. But as always when he solved the riddle with Nina he didn't like the outcome.

His finger tapped on the top of his cane as he chewed over his thoughts. Why are you attempting to fight for that outcome? This was why he avoided human emotions. They ruined a person's ability to think logically. It was despicable how far he had fallen.

[Nina Stenet]

From the beginning of this argument, Nina knew it would turn out this way. She knew that Edward would want her to restrain herself; keep herself quiet, locked away, and hidden. She's perfectly aware of how overprotective he is about her - to such a degree that it's an easy guess that he'll be keeping a very close eye on her whenever she isn't with him once she reappears. And actually, she finds that endearing; it's his way of showing that he cares.

But she also knows that practically nothing could change her mind about doing what she feels that she needs to do. That's actually one of the main reasons why it was such an immediate thing for her to decide to make no attempt at all to steer him away from his own passion; as much as what he does seems so terrible to her even with her understanding of his reasons for doing it, she does understand that feeling of having an overwhelming need to pursue a particular goal. If only he'd been as quick to see the utter futility in arguing about it as she is! Technically she's won since he's throwing in the towel but it's not a victory she can take any happiness in, except the small comfort of it being over.

She sighs heavily, sounding tired herself. And unhappy, and frustrated, but mostly tired. But, unable to stand seeing his back turned to her like that, she finds herself walking up behind him and wrapping her arms around his shoulders and resting the side of her head on his back. "I'm sorry I have to be like that," she says very sincerely. She doesn't like arguing with him, but she does feel that she has to on this point. She wishes that she could be as safe as he wants her to be - she doesn't want him to have to worry.

But she can't - not without sacrificing the one thing even more important to her than him. And yet it pains her to to have to listen to that instead of him - he deserves someone who doesn't have their priorities divided like she has to. If she didn't know how small the odds were that he'd both find such a woman and come to feel about that woman the way he feels about her then she'd even start to consider the idea that he could do better and that it would be selfish of her not to let him. But for whatever reason, she's special to him - different. There's nobody to take her place, no matter how undeserving she feels sometimes, so she's winner of his heart by default. And all that she can do is thank whatever twist of fate brought that to be.

"But I promise that I'll do everything else that I can to keep myself safe - this apartment will help so much," she adds, knowing she's doing a poor job of showing her appreciation for it, "And there's something else you can do that would help, if you want to. A lot smaller, but I can't do it myself." She knows how hard some of her words have been on him, so perhaps it would help repair some of the damage for her to turn around and be a little helpless for a moment so that he can feel like he's the one who solves all their problems again. As inaccurate as the idea is, she doesn't necessarily want to destroy it completely when he enjoys assuming that role so much. And what she has in mind really is something she's not sure how to do without his help.

[Deleted]

When arms come around his shoulder he tenses for a moment, but eventually relaxes his muscles with a sigh. He wanted to push her away, but he enjoyed her presence close to him. When she apologized his response was a quiet scoff and an eye roll. He had told her many times that one shouldn't apologize for being themselves. If they apologize it meant they planned to change. Both Nina and him knew she had no plans to change who she was.

He also felt not need to dignify her next statement with a response. She was sucking up and while Edward usually easily fell into ego stroking it was much harder when he legitimately upset. She says she would do everything else to stay safe, but all past actions prove otherwise. She doubted Nina would do anything other then go back to her normal routine. She would put herself and him at risk. Yes, he was worried about her safety, but he was also worried about not getting caught. She was a loose end ready to be pulled and come crumpling on top of him.

To her final request his frown deepen. His body might have enjoyed the comfort of her being close to him, but her words could easily pull him away from his physical desire. "Can't do it yourself? But you have just argued with me over the fact that you can handle problems yourself, and if it is such a small task, I believe you will be just fine," he rejected with a snarky remark. His free hand dipped in his pocket. Part of him wanted to pull her arms off, but instead he just stayed stiffed and annoyed.

[Nina Stenet]

His words prompt a quick exhale of amusement. "I never said that I can do everything. That's your job," she says, the smile he can't see coming through in her voice as her fingers drift idly over his shoulders, "I just don't need my hand held when the chips are down. And there are some things I want to do by myself for myself. But that doesn't mean that I don't have to stop to question myself twice every time we don't agree. Or that I don't and won't want or even need your help. Or that I don't love it when you do." Impulsively, she kisses the back of his neck since it's the only bit of skin within reach at the moment.

There's a pause and when she continues her voice is more serious when she adds, "And it's a small thing to you, but I don't know how; I do know someone who might know someone who can do it for me, but then he'd want to ask me why, he might not even know anyone, and even if he does whoever he points me to is just as likely to botch it as do it right. That's why I'm asking you - you'd get it right." Sucking up? Well, partly, but she isn't saying anything that she doesn't believe to be completely true.

[Deleted]

It always caught him slightly off guard when Nina showered him with compliments, but he held firm even with the kiss on the back of his neck. He won't lie, he inwardly shivered in delight. Part of him just wanted to turn around, grab her, and force her against him, but the more logical still mad over how ridiculously stupid she was being reminded him not to be manipulated by a woman's touch.

He listened slightly. His eyebrow perked with bare curiosity over her rambles. Her words were kind, but also lacked such detailed that Edward found himself puzzling over them for a moment. Clever girl, tricking him into wanting to help with a puzzle. Damn it. He couldn't just walk away from a puzzle staring right in front of him. What would she need his help with that she could get from someone else to point towards someone else who might mess it up? Hmm. It couldn't be something too drastic because Nina life was still rather...average. He also doubted she was planning on asking him for anything. She was not the type of woman to ask for money or a car. No, she was practical so whatever she wanted had a use to her. He doubted it would be anything within her medical research. Edward was a genius and knew his fair share about the medical field, but Nina would not need his help with something she already knew herself. What was Nina's current focus? Security. Well at least if he helped her with whatever she wanted in particular, he would gain some peace in mind in knowing it would hopefully counter her stupidity of opening a business with her name.

"What is it?" he stated rather coldly, still not looking back at her.

[Nina Stenet]

Some people would be discouraged by getting such a cold answer after all of that, but Nina's just happy that she got something better than an outright refusal. When Edward is in a bad mood it's difficult to get him out of it, especially when it's your fault it happened in the first place. Of course, if he'd managed to brush off at least hearing her request after giving him so many vague clues without at least asking what she wants then she'd have been really worried.

"I want a secure cell phone," she says, "So that I can make phone calls without letting anyone know where I am - I know they all do that now - and so someone can't easily dig up a phone record. Any of that could give someone a trail to follow." Which is proof that Nina actually is concerned about whether or not Edward is caught or killed. Sure there's a risk to her if someone is trying to track her down and uses that method, but if someone's trying to find Nina that way when it should be as easy as looking her up at her lab then they're probably really looking for Edward.

A lot less seriously, she adds, "And it would give you a chance to finally get my number." And as she says that, he'd feel her breath on his his neck again; she doesn't kiss it this time, but she's definitely threatening to. And he can hold back his reaction all he wants - she knows he likes it.

[Deleted]

He listened carefully. Well at least she was showing some sign of intelligence. It also was a very simple task to handle. He usually secured his own phone line. His experience with computers and other technology had made him rather talented in the field. Hacking had become a past time for him, which for a moment caused his mind to drift to the bank robbery he now was contemplating. Hacking. Money was transfered through the internet. Hmm. Something to look into later.

His mind was pulled away when he heard Nina's not so serious comment and felt her hot breath against his neck. He shifted uncomfortably as a deep urge taunted him. His mind flashed back to the time he was sitting in her old apartment stating he didn't have her number. He remembered how flirtatious the entire situation had been even though he had been there to kidnap her. He found a small smile gracing his lips for a moment. He frowned then. When did she become so talented at manipulating him?

He felt her hands around him. He felt her warm body against his back. He mentally calculated how far her lips were away from his skin. The woman was teasing him. Damn his male genetic code.

He grabbed her hand and pulled her around so she was facing him. He pulled her close, his other hand moving to the small of her back, and his his lip connecting with hers. It was a bit more aggressive then normal because he was still very angry with her stupidity and the very fact that he was being manipulated. His hand tightened around her wrist and his fingers dug into her lower back. He kept the kiss going until pulling away slightly with an annoyed smirk, You're still a fool, but I'll overlook that fact for a number.""

[Nina Stenet]

When she's pulled around, there's a guilty smile on Nina's face. She knows full well how horribly manipulative she was being - which things he simply can't help but respond to. While there are still many aspects of his thought processes that are simply beyond her there are some that are easy enough, especially since he stopped trying to tell himself that he doesn't really care about her - she's only so talented at manipulating him because he allows it now.

Fortunately, as always, Nina only uses her power for good. She knows he's angry, and can't really argue that she doesn't deserve it since she is going against what he wants and isn't about to change her mind. But it helps nothing when he tries to let his anger come between them - that just makes them both miserable. Better to be angry with her and keep her close at the same time, and all her manipulations did is guide him to that option.

Of course, no such thought has any hope of staying in her mind when he pulls her close and their lips meet - or any other thought for that matter. Her free arm slides around his side, wanting him to stay this close. It isn't simply a matter of her not wanting this particular argument to sour things, but also that she knows that there's only a short time left before their respective lives makes moments like this more difficult to come by.

As unyielding as her thoughts and words were moments ago, her lips are entirely the opposite; within certain bounds, Edward has just as much ability to manipulate her as she does him. And whenever he stops trying to push past those bounds, she actually enjoys being manipulated. "So what do I have to do to get your number?" she asks with a laugh, realizing that's never come up before. Since the day she was attacked by the Ventriloquist she's been either with him, with one of his men, or tucked safely away in his apartment so she never needed it.

[Deleted]

His eyes fell to her playful smile. It was strange how often he saw it now. He remembered when the smile was as rare as a diamond. He always attempted to get one from her, but only managed to pull out a tired expression instead. To think how things could change over time. Seeing it almost caused some of his anger to lift.

Her comment only caused him to smirk. He hadn't even considered that factor. He switched phones almost on a weekly basis, it was difficult to hand something out like that. He preferred that he could contact who he wanted to when he wanted to, and that others did not have the same ability or access to him. If they did he might have been bombarded by less important people's complaints. He had a busy schedule and had no time to listen to other's issues. His eyes locked onto hers. She wanted his number. It wasn't a surprising request, but it was still a sign that she obviously meant something different to him since he was actually considering it.

"My number comes at a price, and as I'm certain you can tell it's quite expensive, but that would also depend on which number you actually want. Specifics are a necessities," he stated with a hint of humor as his hand let go of her wrist and reached into his pocket for his small yellow notebook and pen he always had on hand. He flipped it open to the blank page in the far back, and scribbled down a number. He ripped it out and placed it in her free hand. "I can give this one for free," he stated with a devious smirk. The paper had the number 64-462-768-6237 written out in his scribbled handwriting.

[Nina Stenet]

Nina smirks at his evasiveness; yeah, she thought that question wouldn't have a simple answer. Edward is a difficult man to pin down in any way shape or form. Actually, that's reassuring in a way - he's said before that he trusts her more than anyone, and if even she can't simply get a phone number how hard would it be for someone he doesn't want looking him up to find him? Not that she's as concerned as he'd probably like her to be about him getting caught by a vigilante or the police, but having another rogue go after him is a definite worry in the back of her mind - though in either case she fully intends to never let it be her fault.

She watches curiously as he writes something down, and when she glances at the paper in her hand the curiosity isn't at all satisfied. "I take it that's not a local call?" she asks with a raised eyebrow, her voice about equal parts amusement and wonder as she measures the devious smirk on his face. Though in some ways it feels like an eternity, it wasn't actually that long ago that she had to fear that look - when it could have meant anything and most likely not something good for her. Now she actually likes it; things change.

[Deleted]

"New Zealand actually," he stated with a smirk as he watched her look at the number. He did love a good puzzle, even the simple ones like this. NIGMAS NUMBER was the exact reason he had chosen that number long ago. He rarely used it because it had gotten him caught a long time ago. "It's a sex line now, and since I'm assuming that would be your reason for calling me, if I'm busy, you will still be able to handle your business," he had a grin that probably matched a toddlers as his finger traced down the side of her shirt.

"Unfortunately direct numbers I don't hand out like candy," (though he rarely ever handed out candy either) he responded. His hand along her lower back pulled her hips against his as he leaned his lips closer to hers. "You have to work for me for those," he stated in a whisper. It came off as teasing, but he was being completely serious. The only people who had his direct number were his henchmen. He had given it out to Harley one time....and well lets say he would never make such an illogical decision again.

Eddie, is the refrigerator light on when the door is closed?

Not to mention the prank phone calls that the Joker joined in on. No, he only gave his direct number to his henchmen. He cared for Nina, but...well she could still get a hold of him. It was just a bit more difficult.