The two spent longer at the fortress than intended. Dee had to watch and make certain Edward didn't take items that she knew to be of value, and probably would be very much missed if they disappeared. While she didn't understand it, he sent her into the Lazarus chamber to retrieve some of the dried scum that was left in the now empty pit. A small fissure had opened, draining away the water. The water that had dripped into the pit from the stone duct had dried up. All that remained now was a fine, powdery, almost ash-like substance that clung to the stone sides of the Pit like a bathtub ring.

With great care, Dee collected the powder into a bag, sealing it and storing it among the wagon items. Also in the wagon nestled out of sight of the men, sat a few items that Eddie had managed to talk her into letting him take. He had told her they were for "the plan," unwilling to elaborate any further just yet.

The room they stayed in was carefully cleaned. Every trace of them was removed, and the room and fortress swept through with fresh boughs of Korean pine to cover their scent. When they left the fortress, everything was just as they had found it upon arrival. Talia had been adamant that any suggestion that someone had been in the fortress or even near it be erased. While the men were very good at hiding their own tracks, Dee double-checked the path as she trailed behind the group as the descended to the village and down to the plane.

Since the horses and wagon were no longer needed, Dee took them back to the village as Eddie and the men settled back into the plane. Eddie was kept out of sight, knowing that there would be questions if he were seen. After all, it wasn't every day that a very sick and worn looking man went into the mountains only to come out later, looking healthier than ever.

"I'm glad to be going back to Gotham finally," Dee said as she settled back in her seat as the plane gained altitude.

Eddie sat quietly, fingers steepled in front of him, tapping his lips with his index fingers. She could tell he was deep in thought, and conversation with him would be a bare minimum. Still, she took the chance of running her fingers through his new head of hair. Once out of the Lazarus, Eddie seemed only to improve more over the following few days. His appetite was near ravenous, and he ate anything she set in front of him. His hair was coming back as thick and full as before, with one difference: Edward Nigma's hair was now brown. The change was only a mild surprise to both, but was barely commented on. A change in hair color, or texture was common after chemotherapy.

After a few days, his physical progress stopped, and all that was left was for him to regain the rest of his strength and stamina. His mind was as sharp as ever, perhaps sharper than before. All Dee knew was that he was planning something, and planning something big. As with any of his major plans, he was unwilling to share until he had the chance to do some research and confirm information he had. Whatever was going through his mind was certain to be quite spectacular.

Hours later, the plane arrived in Gotham. A black panel van pulled up close to the plane, immediately collecting the question marked couple, the tigers, and the bags. Talia's men were left to report back to their mistress. Very soon, Dee knew the woman would call her in to hear Dee's version of the events in the Lazarus. Until then, she was free to remain in Gotham without question. When the time came, there would be no reason for Dee to tell any lies about what had happened. But with Eddie brewing up some sort of plan, certain things would have to be omitted.

Once they had recovered from the trip, safely settled back in the warehouse where the whole adventure had begun, Edward called a meeting. Benny and Trigger joined Dee in the study. Laid out on the desk, or leaning against the bookcase just behind the desk, were the items that Eddie had brought back from China. Everything was carefully labeled. Also on the desk sat three manila envelopes, each with a name on it.

Standing behind his desk, Eddie allowed a smile to twitch the corners of his mouth up as he picked up the envelopes. He handed and envelope to each. Taking his seat again, he put his feet up on the desk, leaning back in his chair, hands clasped together over his middle.

"Inside the envelope is specific directives for each of you. I have divvied up certain jobs that need to be carried out according to the strength of each of you. Follow the instructions for each precisely, and report back to me with the findings. I will be doing my own research in the meantime. Do not speak to anyone about what you are doing or why. As always, keep as low a profile as you can."

Each nodded, thumbing through the printed pages of orders. None of them asked any more questions than were needed to make certain they were clear on what needed to be done. The jobs varied from watching certain members of society, down to setting off alarms at very specific times and places.

As the days passed and each report turned in, the warehouse became quite like a war room. Maps were spread out everywhere, not just in the study. A huge map of the city itself had been laid out in the game room; the pool table pushed to the side of the room to make room for the map. But this was a game, wasn't it? It was always a game with Edward Nigma when he was planning trouble for the Dark Knight. Eddie spent hours in his study, charting the information brought in on his computer. Whatever he had up his sleeve was beginning to look like his most elaborate plan yet.

The Beast Within / Back