Being Homesick:

"The big one is Trigger, the smaller one is Benny. They're harmless enough," the Riddler said as he pulled the car into the garage of the warehouse. His hired help were waiting, having heard the garage door open.

"Should I worry about them?"

"You weren't worried about them last night. I don't see why that has to change. Good workers. Loyal. But not too bright. Still, if anything happened, they'd have to answer to me."

Dee nodded and opened her door, slowly climbing out. The two nodded to her, eyeing her up and down. Small smirks appeared on their faces as she closed the car door and they got a good look at her.

"Alright you two. In the trunk are Dee's bags. Get them and take them to her room. She'll be living with us from now on. You will call her 'Query' unless she tells you otherwise, understood?"

Wiping the expressions off their faces, they said as one, "Yes, Mr. Nigma," before grabbing the bags out of the trunk and hurrying them into the hideout.

"It isn't much, but it's home. I converted the place to suit my needs. You'll have your own room and bathroom, so you don't need to worry about sharing with any of us males. It will, of course, be your responsibility to keep your own area clean to your liking. We all share the kitchen and everyone has their own cabinet for anything special."

"Do any of you cook?" she asked.

"Er, that depends on your definition of the word," he said, forcing a laugh.

Just like a bunch of bachelors. I'll bet they sit around swigging beer and watching stupid things on television. Good Gorshin, please don't let them have farting contests! Being thought of as "one of the guys" in the Triad had its advantages and disadvantages. The manners and amusements of some of the males left much to be desired. "I know you didn't want to talk about it earlier, but I need to know. Just what am I supposed to be doing here?"

"You'll be my personal bodyguard. I'm more the brain of this group. My fighting is passable, but I'm more for the planning end. Don't get me wrong; I could fight if I wanted to. It just isn't where my skills lie. I'll require you to do more of the fighting. Benny and Trigger are fair in a fight, but they're more the street boxer type. No style. You have style."

They walked down the carpeted hallway. Dee tried to pay attention to where she was going as well as what he was telling her. She saw the men who had taken her bags leave a room and walk back they way they had just come. Turning her head to watch them, she saw them disappear into another room, closing the door behind them.

"They won't mind?" she asked.

He waved his hand dismissively at the question as they stopped at the door to her room. "They have enough to do already. You won't be taking anything away from them." He paused, uncertain of where to go from there. "My room is just the next door over," he said, pointing. "If you need anything, just let me know."

"I think I'll be fine for now." Her shyness was returning as they stood in the hallway, each silent and not knowing what to say. "Oh, your jacket," she finally said, noticing she was still wearing it. Hastily she pulled it off and handed it to him, sorry to be giving it back. "Thanks for letting me borrow it."

The same twitch pulled at the corner of his mouth, giving her a cock-eyed grin. "No problem. I couldn't let you freeze to death out there, could I?"

"I had a really good time tonight. Thank you."

"Thank you. I haven't been on a real date like that in a long time." Pause. "I'll let you get some sleep. You've had a long day." Chancing it, he bent to give her what he was going to make a quick kiss. Instead he took his time, enjoying the softness of her lips against his.

Ducking her head when they parted, she quickly stepped past the threshold of the door. She was blushing again. He was pleased to see that despite the blush, she had a small grin on her face as she peered around the edge of the door.

"G'night," she said before closing it all the way.

Staring at the door for a second, he turned on his heel and strode away, the jacket folded over his arm. Once he got into his room, he held it up, pressing the collar against his nose. Beneath the scent of his aftershave he could smell her, smell the peach scent that she wore. On the green, question mark speckled fabric were a few long strands of her red hair. Instead of picking them off, he left them as he carefully hung the jacket up and placed it in his closet before getting ready for bed.

The second she had closed and locked the door, Dee sighed and leaned against it, sliding down to the floor. Curiously, she peeked under the crack in the door and watched the soles of Eddie's shoes as he walked off. She had forced herself to move away from him, knowing that if she stayed, she'd want nothing more than to let him keep kissing her all night. That wouldn't have been a bad thing, but seeing as she was very tired, she would have wanted more to curl up in his lap and sleep.

It wasn't until she turned to her bags to find something for bed did she burst into tears. Everything in this room smelled and looked strange to her. She missed the futon she had grown up sleeping on. Now she had a real bed, high off the ground. The furniture in the room was ugly as well. None of it had the fine curves and beauty to it that her furniture had. As she opened her bags, the smell of Jiaoshu's house hit her, increasing her sobs.

From one of her bags she pulled out her robe and bath bag, forcing herself into the bathroom. Sobbing even as she undressed, she ran herself a bath. Tying her hair up, she sank into the water. Unlike the bathing pool at Jiaoshu's, she was unable to float, as she liked to. Resting her head on the rim of the tub, she did her best, allowing herself to be lost in the weightlessness of the water.

Each time her thoughts threatened to overwhelm her once more, she felt strong arms envelope her. She expected to be thinking of Manchu, her main comforter. But as always, when she found herself feeling in need of someone more than her best friend, she thought of her carnival barker. Had she not felt she had embarrassed herself enough that night, and if she had the courage, she would have sought him out for comfort.

"Stop fooling yourself, Dee. You know he wouldn't just comfort you. He would take it as a sign that you wanted more and he would take it. Don't listen to what he said. You know he would. He's a man. Remember how nice some of them were when you first met them? He's going to be just the same. He was too perfect tonight," she grumbled to herself as she pulled her pajamas on.

Stifling a yawn, she pulled one of her personal blankets from her bag. Wrapping herself in it, she laid on top of the bed. In her hand she held the little jade tiger Manchu had given her. As she drifted off to sleep she wished nothing more than to be able to talk to her friend about what had happened and if Edward Nigma could have possibly been sincere in his actions tonight.
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