Dating:

"Make certain the room is clean and the bed is made," ordered Edward Nigma, the Riddler, into the phone. "And make certain the bathroom in that room is spotless, understand?"

"Yes, boss," came the reply.

Eddie chose to ignore the irritated and grumbling undertone of the man on the other end. Without saying goodbye, he hung up, kicking at the base of the pay phone. He was ready to start snarling under his breath when Dee Lemma (formerly Xiaohu of the Jade Tiger Triad, and now Query), returned from changing. The transformation was stunning. He had thought she looked beautiful enough in the pants and shirt she had worn before. But now - now he just barely managed to keep his jaw from dropping as he watched her walk from the restroom to the car, looking around for him.

It had been at her request that he had stopped so she could change into something more appropriate for a night out. She had felt uncomfortable being so underdressed for dinner when he was dressed nicely. Dee's pants had been traded for a flowing skirt in a stormy blue and a tailored, white button up blouse. As he walked toward the car, he could see the hollow of her throat and curve of her collarbone peeking out from the snowy white fabric before she climbed into her seat.

Clearing his throat, he shook himself. "Ready then?" he asked, sliding behind the wheel.

A silent nod was all her answer. He cast a glance at her before pulling onto the road. Dee sat silently, he hands folded in her lap, staring blankly out the windshield. Eddie felt sorry for the girl, being as her whole life had changed in the course of one day. He wondered how he would feel if he had been torn away from his loved ones and everything he had known, and then placed in the hands of an almost complete stranger. Then he realized he had no "loved" ones to be torn away from.

"Jiaoshu said he told you what I did for the Triad," she finally said.

"He mentioned that you were a foot soldier and one of their finest thieves in the Gotham area. He also said you were something of an explosives expert."

"I've been studying the art of pyrotechnics since I was ten. But I'm far from an expert. Did he tell you anything else?"

"Only that I wasn't to mention your connection to them to anyone." And that if I hurt you I would be in deep trouble with him, he added silently. Two threats in one day about the same girl. It frightened him, yet made him more curious about her. He had also been warned by both Jiaoshu and Dee's best friend, Manchu, that whatever they did to him would be nothing compared to what she might do.

Silence settled over the car again as the Riddler pulled into the back parking lot of the waterfront Italian restaurant, Garibaldi's. Edward was determined to make this girl smile again tonight and make her feel welcome. Jumping out of the car as soon as he parked, he hurried to her door and helped her out. She made no protest as he ducked her hand into the crook of his arm. In fact, her fingers curled and put a gentle pressure on his forearm as they entered the restaurant.

"Signor Nigma! How delightful to see you again! A slightly rotund man with glasses and a thick Italian accent said. "And you bring a girl!"

Dee blushed as the man took her hand and placed a kiss on the back of it.

"A vision you are! Please, come this way! I have a wonderful table for you!"

"Thank you, Renato," Eddie said, smiling at Dee as they followed the man.

He seated them at a booth facing the panoramic window. Placing menus down, he hurried off, summoning a waiter for their table.

"Order whatever you want," the Riddler said, sensing the girl's apprehension as she noticed the prices.

"Anything?" Dee asked, uncertain if he really meant it.

"Anything."

They perused the menu for a moment before the waiter came over. "Good evening. I'm Tony and I'll be your waiter. Can I start you out with some drinks, or are you ready to order?"

"Dee?"

"I'm ready to order if you are." Getting a nod, she began listing her order. "I'll start with the Insalata di Gorgonzola, no tomatoes, and I'd like the Pesce di Pozzuoli."

"And to drink?"

She hesitated, feeling uncomfortable about ordering alcohol around this man just yet. "Water is fine, thank you."

"Nonsense. Bring her a glass of your finest white wine. I'd like a scotch on the rocks, for now. And I would like the Insalata Mista and the Fra Diavolo."

When he was finished ordering and the waiter left, he looked at Dee. She was staring out of the window at the twinkling lights of the harbor. Never had she had a chance to sit and appreciate a view like this. Resting her chin on her hand, her lips in a natural pout, the Riddler felt his heart beat quicken. The soft candlelight illuminated her features gently.

"The view is beautiful," she said.

"Indeed," he replied, finding himself reaching for her left hand. Her fingers felt cold in the warmth of his hand as he picked it off the table. That's an interesting ring you're wearing."

Face flushed, she started to pull her hand back, stopping as his thumb ran along the length of the chain.

"It was a gift. They gave it to me when I... When I..." Her voice trailed off and she bit her trembling lip.

"Hey, what's black, white, and red all over?" He waited a beat to see if she would answer. When she didn't, he said, "A zebra with chicken pox!" Telling her childish jokes and riddles, he was pleased when she finally smiled and giggled a little. "So is it just gorilla jokes that make you laugh then?" he asked, giving her fingers a light squeeze.

"It's you telling them. I didn't think those were in your caliber to use."

He took a sip of his scotch, which had arrived. "Never leave the classics. Any riddle use properly works for me."

Their salads came then and he released her now warmed hand. They chatted as they ate, each telling a little bit about themselves. As they talked, Dee began to relax. Eddie was amazed at the girl's appetite, noticing that she was thoroughly enjoying her meal.

"This has got to be the most amazing Italian food I have ever had!" she said with delight after the first bite of her entrée.

A grin spread across Edward's face. The words were music to his ears. He chuckled as she took another bite, eyes rolling up at the taste.

"I don't think I've ever seen anyone enjoy a meal as much as you are now. It's nice to see a girl with an appetite and table manners."

"You mean they didn't tell you?" she asked, arching an eyebrow at him.

"Tell me what?"

"Well, I'm certain Manchu talked to you about me. And I know Jiaoshu did. I'm just wondering if Manchu decided to tell you exactly how much I like food and to eat."

He shook his head. "They both told me not to piss you off. No mention of food."

"Of course Manchu would say something like that," she said, adding a low grumble of something in Chinese. "I suppose you should know though. Ever since I've been able to shape shift, my metabolism has gone up. Depending on how long and what I change into is how I'm affected."

"My guess is that it's the ring that allows that?" the Riddler asked, touching the chain again. "What can you change into?"

"Just felines."

"Small? Large?"

"Any. As long as it's a feline, I can change into it. I can also do the half shift that you saw earlier."

"Interesting. I know a lot of people would love to get their hands on something like that. And I think we should keep that fact under our hats," he said, giving her a look that meant no argument.

"Doesn't really matter," she replied wiping the last of the sauce up with a piece of bread. "The ring won't work for anyone other than me. Jiaoshu told me that even if someone else got a hold of it, the ring has to accept them."

The conversation was cut short as the waiter returned to clear the plates. "Anything else I can bring you tonight? Some dessert or coffee?"

Eddie looked at Dee. "Dessert?"

She already felt like a pig, finishing every scrap of food on her plate, along with the rest of the bread. Then again if he thought less of her for wanting dessert, that was his problem.

"Do you have any crème brulee?"

"Plain, or lavender?" the waiter asked with a smile.

"Ooo! Lavender! And an herbal tea, please," she said happily.

With a chuckle, Edward ordered tiramisu and a coffee. The delight that Dee took in cracking the burnt sugar top of the custard had Eddie shaking his head in amusement. She practically danced in her seat as the creamy concoction melted on her tongue. When he asked how her dessert was, she sighed and offered him a bite, tumbling over adjectives to describe the marvel of crème brulee. In return, he offered her a bite of his own dessert, causing another waterfall of words from her.
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