Raven called me the third night that Dee had gone missing. Apparently she had been sitting at the Iceberg for the last half hour, eating dinner. Why they hadn't called me the moment she had arrived, I didn't know. Raven informed me that she had sent a driver to pick me up. Now I sat in the back, wondering how I was going to get her to come back.

"Where is she?" I asked the moment I walked in.

"Mr. Cobblepot wants to see you in his office," said Raven.

"He can wait. Where is Dee?"

She shook her head. "He said he wanted to see you the moment you came in. I'm sorry, Mr. Nigma," she apologized, leading me back.

"Oswald," I said curtly, looking around his office.

"Edward. Please have a seat."

"Listen, Oswald, I know that you want to talk to me, but this is important. Where is Dee?"

"Sit down. Now."

Narrowing my eyes at him, I sat. Until he had his say, I knew I wouldn't see Dee, unless I forced the fat bird to do so. Nevertheless, I knew I should save my energy for dealing with Dee.

"Edward, you are a good customer of mine. You know that. You're often a great source of information, and I appreciate that. But as businessmen, we both know that a certain decorum must be kept in public. What happens in private does not enter into business."

I knew where he was headed with this. "Oswald, I'm very sorry about the other night. Dee doesn't generally drink like that. From what I can understand, her actions were accelerated by Pam's words. There's usually a reason for her lashing out as she did."

"This isn't about the other night, Edward. This is about tonight. She came in her for dinner. That was all fine and good. We've all heard what happened between you two."

Damn you, Pam! Can't you keep that maw of yours shut?!

I grunted, folding my arms across my chest.

"Domestic disputes should be just that. Domestic. Airing your dirty laundry in public is not something you need to be doing. Things would have been fine if those two strumpets you used to employ hadn't come in. In the time those two sat down at her table, your girlfriend managed to get herself drunk. It didn't take long for those two to start throwing punches. Two catfights in my bar involving your girl. Those are not good odds!"

"I understand your concern; really, I do. And if you would just bring her to me, I assure you that I will handle things from here."

He pressed the button of his intercom. "Bring Query in, please."

I turned toward the door and watched as one of Oswald's behemoths entered with Dee in his arms. She looked to have passed out. The sight of all the scratches all over her worried me. I looked down to see Tangram peeking out from behind the man's legs.

"What happened to Nina and Diedre?"

"I threw them out. They're banned for life. You and this girl are banned for a week." He stopped to hand me a sheet of paper. "Your fine, Edward. Two thousand. I am being generous, given the circumstances that brought these events to my bar. Next time I won't be quite so charitable."

The bastard. "Fine. I'll send one of my men over with the money tomorrow. If you'll excuse me, I would like to get her home."

"She brought your car. The valet will have it waiting for you."

Nodding my thanks, I took Dee from the bouncer.

"And Edward?"

"Yes?" I said, controlling the urge to roll my eyes.

"Don't forget to tip the valet, hm?"

I suppressed the growl as I left his office. Still, I gnashed my teeth together, fuming, as I left the club. The valet opened the passenger door for me, and I deposited Dee on the seat, securing her before putting the tiger on her lap. To make certain that Oswald didn't think I was a tightwad, I left the valet with a hundred dollar tip.

Arriving back at the warehouse, I took Dee back in my arms. She certainly had done a number on herself, even without the fight. Benny and Trigger watched as I walked down the hall with her, closing the door to our room. I set her on the bed.

"Dee? C'mon and wake up for me."

She groaned and rolled her head back and forth. A sour look settled on her face, and she mumbled, "I need to throw up."

Quickly I helped her into the bathroom, pulling her hair back as she heaved over the toilet. I reminded myself to never get her drunk. For the next half hour, Dee hovered over the toilet. I left her for a moment to get water. When I came back, she was asleep on the floor, a toothbrush (mine) in her mouth, and toothpaste dribbling out of the corners of her mouth. I wiped her mouth clean, and picked her back up, taking her to bed. Trying to get her changed into pajamas was like trying to dress jelly. All of her limbs were limp, and while she became semi-conscious, she remained a dead weight.

By the time I got her under the covers, I was exhausted myself. My plan had been to get her from the Iceberg, bring her back, and apologize to her, explaining everything. I had also planned on lighting the room with candles, as Sandy had suggested. All of those plans fell through now. Getting myself ready for bed, I crawled in next to Dee.

"Mm. Eddie," she mumbled, cuddling up to me.

For a moment, I wasn't certain if she was awake or not. Either way, I put an arm around her.

"You're home now," I assured her.

"Eddie," she mumbled again. This time she raised herself some. Her eyes were half open, and she smiled at me.

To my surprise, she started kissing me. I tried to push her back, but she crawled on top of me.

"Make love to me?" she whispered, kissing me again.

"Tempting, but no. You're drunk, and I'm not certain if you forgive me yet," I said, pushing her off me.

"Please? Please, my tiger?" she begged, her speech slurred.

"No, Dee. Absolutely not." I stilled her wandering hands, holding them down. I noticed that her right hand was injured. The cut looked clean, however, and was healing just fine.

"They called me an ugly troll," she murmured. "Said I was a lesbian."

A heavy sigh came from her, and she started weeping, pressing her face against me. I sighed myself and held her. She drifted between sleep and semi-consciousness, saying my name, and whimpering. I could have given in to her request, but I knew that if I did, I would be in more trouble than if I turned her down. She was emotional enough without liquor. With it, she was a tempest.
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